U.S. patent application number 14/144232 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for systems and methods for interventional procedure planning.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.. Invention is credited to Prashant Chopra, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Dorin Panescu, Carol Reiley, Tao Zhao.
Application Number | 20140188440 14/144232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51017972 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140188440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donhowe; Caitlin Q. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2014 |
Systems And Methods For Interventional Procedure Planning
Abstract
A method of planning a procedure to deploy an interventional
instrument comprises receiving a model of an anatomic structure.
The anatomic structure includes a plurality of passageways. The
method further includes identifying a target structure in the model
and receiving information about an operational capability of the
interventional instrument within the plurality of passageways. The
method further comprises identifying a planned deployment location
for positioning a distal tip of the interventional instrument to
perform the procedure on the target structure based upon the
operational capability of the interventional instrument.
Inventors: |
Donhowe; Caitlin Q.;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Chopra; Prashant; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Reiley; Carol; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Zhao; Tao; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Panescu; Dorin;
(San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. |
Sunnyvale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Intuitive Surgical Operations,
Inc.
Sunnyvale
CA
|
Family ID: |
51017972 |
Appl. No.: |
14/144232 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61747920 |
Dec 31, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
703/1 ;
600/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/065 20130101;
A61B 8/12 20130101; A61B 2034/2051 20160201; A61B 17/00234
20130101; A61B 8/4263 20130101; A61B 2034/107 20160201; A61B
2090/364 20160201; A61B 2034/102 20160201; A61B 5/0066 20130101;
A61B 8/0841 20130101; A61B 8/4245 20130101; A61B 8/085 20130101;
A61B 34/10 20160201; A61B 10/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
703/1 ;
600/424 |
International
Class: |
A61B 19/00 20060101
A61B019/00; A61B 17/00 20060101 A61B017/00; A61B 10/04 20060101
A61B010/04; A61B 8/08 20060101 A61B008/08; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of planning a procedure to deploy an interventional
instrument, the method performed by a processing system, the method
comprising: receiving a model of an anatomic structure, the
anatomic structure including a plurality of passageways;
identifying a target structure in the model; receiving information
about an operational capability of the interventional instrument
within the plurality of passageways; and identifying a planned
deployment location for positioning a distal tip of the
interventional instrument to perform the procedure on the target
structure based upon the operational capability of the
interventional instrument.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the planned deployment
location includes receiving data representing one or more
characteristics of the interventional instrument, the one or more
characteristics including a tool deployment length.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the planned deployment
location includes receiving data representing one or more
characteristics of the interventional instrument, the one or more
characteristics including the bending capability of the
interventional instrument.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the planned deployment
location includes receiving data representing one or more
characteristics of the interventional instrument and wherein the
interventional instrument includes a catheter body and an
interventional tool, the one or more characteristics including
movement characteristics of the interventional tool relative to the
catheter body.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the planned deployment
location includes receiving data representing a characteristic of
the plurality of passageways.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the size of the plurality of
passageways nearest the target structure.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the location of a carina between
two of the plurality of passageways.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the elasticities of the plurality
of passageways.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the planned deployment
location includes receiving data representing a characteristic of
the target structure.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the target
structure includes a location of a calcification.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying a planned deployment
location includes identifying a preliminary deployment location in
one of the plurality of passageways and revising the preliminary
deployment location to the planned deployment location based upon
receipt of sensor data indicating a revised location of the target
structure.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the sensor data includes
ultrasound sensor data representing the location of the target
structure relative to the distal end of the interventional
instrument.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the sensor data includes OCT
sensor data representing the location of the target structure
relative to the distal end of the interventional instrument.
14. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying a
plurality of optional deployment locations on walls of the
plurality of passageways, the plurality of optional deployment
locations coded to provide information about the relative quality
of the plurality of planned deployment locations for deploying the
interventional instrument to perform the procedure, wherein the
plurality of optional deployment locations includes the planned
deployment location.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the procedure is a biopsy
procedure.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein identifying a planned deployment
includes receiving a clinician-identified deployment location.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing an alert
indicating that the clinician-identified deployment location is
objectionable.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein at the planned deployment
location an approach angle between a distal tip of the
interventional instrument and a passageway wall is between
approximately 30 and 90 degrees.
19. A system comprising: non-transitory computer readable media
containing computer executable instructions for planning a
procedure to deploy an interventional instrument including
instructions for receiving a model of an anatomic structure, the
anatomic structure including a plurality of passageways;
instructions for identifying a target structure in the model;
instructions for receiving information about an operational
capability of the interventional instrument within the plurality of
passageways; and instructions for identifying a planned deployment
location for positioning a distal tip of the interventional
instrument to perform the procedure on the target structure based
upon the operational capability of the interventional
instrument.
20. The system of claim 19 further comprising the interventional
instrument.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying the planned
deployment location includes receiving data representing one or
more characteristics of the interventional instrument, the one or
more characteristics including a tool deployment length.
22. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying the planned
deployment location includes receiving data representing one or
more characteristics of the interventional instrument, the one or
more characteristics including the bending capability of the
interventional instrument.
23. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying the planned
deployment location includes receiving data representing one or
more characteristics of the interventional instrument and wherein
the interventional instrument includes a catheter body and an
interventional tool, the one or more characteristics including
movement characteristics of the interventional tool relative to the
catheter body.
24. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying the planned
deployment location includes receiving data representing a
characteristic of the plurality of passageways.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the size of the plurality of
passageways nearest the target structure.
26. The system of claim 24 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the location of a carina between
two of the plurality of passageways.
27. The system of claim 24 wherein the characteristic of the
plurality of passageways includes the elasticities of the plurality
of passageways.
28. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying the planned
deployment location includes receiving data representing a
characteristic of the target structure.
29. The system of claim 19 wherein the characteristic of the target
structure includes a location of a calcification.
30. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying a planned deployment
location includes identifying a preliminary deployment location in
one of the plurality of passageways and revising the preliminary
deployment location to the planned deployment location based upon
receipt of sensor data indicating a revised location of the target
structure.
31. The system of claim 30 wherein the sensor data includes
ultrasound sensor data representing the location of the target
structure relative to the distal end of the interventional
instrument.
32. The system of claim 30 wherein the sensor data includes OCT
sensor data representing the location of the target structure
relative to the distal end of the interventional instrument.
33. The system of claim 30 further comprising instructions for
identifying a plurality of optional deployment locations on walls
of the plurality of passageways, the plurality of optional
deployment locations coded to provide information about the
relative quality of the plurality of planned deployment locations
for deploying the interventional instrument to perform the
procedure, wherein the plurality of optional deployment locations
includes the planned deployment location.
34. The system of claim 19 wherein the procedure is a biopsy
procedure.
35. The system of claim 19 wherein identifying a planned deployment
includes receiving a clinician-identified deployment location.
36. The system of claim 35 further comprising instructions for
providing an alert indicating that the clinician-identified
deployment location is objectionable.
37. The system of claim 19 wherein at the planned deployment
location an approach angle between a distal tip of the
interventional instrument and a passageway wall is between
approximately 30 and 90 degrees.
38. A method of planning a interventional procedure using an
interventional tool deployed from a catheter, the method performed
by a processing system, the method comprising: receiving a model of
an anatomic structure, the anatomic structure including a plurality
of passageways; identifying a target structure in the model;
receiving information about the extension length of the
interventional tool relative to a distal tip of the catheter; and
based upon the received information about the extension length of
the interventional tool, identifying a planned deployment location
for positioning the distal tip of the catheter to perform the
interventional procedure on the target structure.
40. A method of performing an interventional procedure, the method
performed by a processing system, the method comprising: receiving
a model of an anatomic structure, the anatomic structure including
a plurality of passageways; identifying a target structure in the
model; identifying a planned deployment location for positioning a
distal tip of the interventional instrument; operating a sensor to
generate an operative image of the target structure; and
identifying a revised deployment location for positioning a distal
tip of the interventional instrument to perform the interventional
procedure on the target structure, based at least in part on the
operative image of the target structure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/747,920 filed Dec. 31, 2012, which is incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods
for navigating a patient anatomy to conduct a minimally invasive
procedure, and more particularly to systems and methods for
planning a procedure to deploy an interventional instrument.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Minimally invasive medical techniques are intended to reduce
the amount of tissue that is damaged during interventional
procedures, thereby reducing patient recovery time, discomfort, and
deleterious side effects. Such minimally invasive techniques may be
performed through natural orifices in a patient anatomy or through
one or more surgical incisions. Through these natural orifices or
incisions clinicians may insert interventional instruments
(including surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic, or biopsy
instruments) to reach a target tissue location. To reach the target
tissue location, a minimally invasive interventional instrument may
navigate natural or surgically created passageways in anatomical
systems such as the lungs, the colon, the intestines, the kidneys,
the heart, the circulatory system, or the like. To assist the
clinician in navigating the instrument through the passageways,
models of the passageway are prepared using pre-operative or
inter-operative imaging. Current systems for deploying an
interventional instrument identify an instrument deployment
location as the point within the modeled passageways closest to the
target tissue location. This closest-point deployment location may
be difficult to access given the constraints of the interventional
instrument or the anatomy. Improved systems and methods are needed
to determine a planned instrument deployment location for
conducting a procedure on the target tissue location.
SUMMARY
[0004] The embodiments of the invention are summarized by the
claims that follow the description.
[0005] In one embodiment, a method of planning a procedure to
deploy an interventional instrument comprises receiving a model of
an anatomic structure. The anatomic structure includes a plurality
of passageways. The method further includes identifying a target
structure in the model and receiving information about an
operational capability of the interventional instrument within the
plurality of passageways. The method further comprises identifying
a planned deployment location for positioning a distal tip of the
interventional instrument to perform the procedure on the target
structure based upon the operational capability of the
interventional instrument.
[0006] In another embodiment, a system comprises a non-transitory
computer readable media containing computer executable instructions
for planning a procedure to deploy an interventional instrument.
The computer executable instructions include instructions for
receiving a model of an anatomic structure including a plurality of
passageways and instructions for identifying a target structure in
the model. The computer executable instructions also include
instructions for receiving information about an operational
capability of the interventional instrument within the plurality of
passageways and instructions for identifying a planned deployment
location for positioning a distal tip of the interventional
instrument to perform the procedure on the target structure based
upon the operational capability of the interventional
instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from
the following detailed description when read with the accompanying
figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard
practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale.
In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily
increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. In addition, the
present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in
the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of
simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a
relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations
discussed.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a teleoperated interventional system, in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an interventional instrument system
utilizing aspects of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a distal end of the interventional
instrument system of FIG. 2 with an extended interventional
tool.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an anatomic model image with a distal end
of an interventional instrument at a deployment location.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an anatomic model image with a distal end
of an interventional instrument at a revised deployment location
based on sensor feedback.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing a method for identifying a
planned deployment location for an interventional instrument.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a method for revising the
planned deployment location based upon sensor feedback.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing a method for identifying
the target structure using the imaging systems.
[0017] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11 are illustrations of the method of
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following detailed description of the aspects of the
invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments.
However, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the
embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances well known methods,
procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the
embodiments of the invention. And, to avoid needless descriptive
repetition, one or more components or actions described in
accordance with one illustrative embodiment can be used or omitted
as applicable from other illustrative embodiments.
[0019] The embodiments below will describe various instruments and
portions of instruments in terms of their state in
three-dimensional space. As used herein, the term "position" refers
to the location of an object or a portion of an object in a
three-dimensional space (e.g., three degrees of translational
freedom along Cartesian X, Y, Z coordinates). As used herein, the
term "orientation" refers to the rotational placement of an object
or a portion of an object (three degrees of rotational
freedom--e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw). As used herein, the term
"pose" refers to the position of an object or a portion of an
object in at least one degree of translational freedom and to the
orientation of that object or portion of the object in at least one
degree of rotational freedom (up to six total degrees of freedom).
As used herein, the term "shape" refers to a set of poses,
positions, or orientations measured along an object.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a teleoperated
interventional system for use in, for example, surgical,
diagnostic, therapeutic, or biopsy procedures, is generally
indicated by the reference numeral 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the
teleoperated system 100 generally includes an interventional
manipulator assembly 102 for operating an interventional instrument
104 in performing various procedures on the patient P. The assembly
102 is mounted to or near an operating table O. A master assembly
106 allows the surgeon S to view the surgical site and to control
the slave manipulator assembly 102.
[0021] The master assembly 106 may be located at a surgeon's
console C which is usually located in the same room as operating
table O. However, it should be understood that the surgeon S can be
located in a different room or a completely different building from
the patient P. Master assembly 106 generally includes an optional
support 108 and one or more control device(s) 112 for controlling
the manipulator assemblies 102. The control device(s) 112 may
include any number of a variety of input devices, such as
joysticks, trackballs, data gloves, trigger-guns, hand-operated
controllers, voice recognition devices, body motion or presence
sensors, or the like. In some embodiments, the control device(s)
112 will be provided with the same degrees of freedom as the
associated interventional instruments 104 to provide the surgeon
with telepresence, or the perception that the control device(s) 112
are integral with the instruments 104 so that the surgeon has a
strong sense of directly controlling instruments 104. In other
embodiments, the control device(s) 112 may have more or fewer
degrees of freedom than the associated interventional instruments
104 and still provide the surgeon with telepresence. In some
embodiments, the control device(s) 112 are manual input devices
which move with six degrees of freedom, and which may also include
an actuatable handle for actuating instruments (for example, for
closing grasping jaws, applying an electrical potential to an
electrode, delivering a medicinal treatment, or the like).
[0022] In alternative embodiments, the teleoperated system may
include more than one slave manipulator assembly and/or more than
one master assembly. The exact number of manipulator assemblies
will depend on the surgical procedure and the space constraints
within the operating room, among other factors. The master
assemblies may be collocated, or they may be positioned in separate
locations. Multiple master assemblies allow more than one operator
to control one or more slave manipulator assemblies in various
combinations.
[0023] An optional visualization system 110 may include an
endoscope system such that a concurrent (real-time) image of the
surgical site is provided to surgeon console C. The concurrent
image may be, for example, a two- or three-dimensional image
captured by an endoscopic probe positioned within the surgical
site. In this embodiment, the visualization system 110 includes
endoscopic components that may be integrally or removably coupled
to the interventional instrument 104. In alternative embodiments,
however, a separate endoscope attached to a separate manipulator
assembly may be used to image the surgical site. Alternatively, a
separate endoscope assembly may be directly operated by a user,
without teleoperational control. The endoscope assembly may include
active steering (e.g., via teleoperated steering wires) or passive
steering (e.g., via guide wires or direct user guidance). The
visualization system 110 may be implemented as hardware, firmware,
software, or a combination thereof, which interacts with or is
otherwise executed by one or more computer processors, which may
include the processor(s) of a control system 116.
[0024] A display system 111 may display an image of the surgical
site and interventional instruments captured by the visualization
system 110. The display 111 and the master control device(s) 112
may be oriented such that the relative positions of the imaging
device in the scope assembly and the interventional instruments are
similar to the relative positions of the surgeon's eyes and hand(s)
so the operator can manipulate the interventional instrument 104
and the master control device(s) 112 as if viewing the workspace in
substantially true presence. True presence means that the displayed
tissue image appears to an operator as if the operator was
physically present at the imager location and directly viewing the
tissue from the imager's perspective.
[0025] Alternatively or additionally, display system 111 may
present images of the surgical site recorded and/or modeled
preoperatively using imaging technology such as computerized
tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluoroscopy,
thermography, ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT),
thermal imaging, impedance imaging, laser imaging, nanotube X-ray
imaging, or the like. The presented preoperative images may include
two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or four-dimensional (including
e.g., time based or velocity based information) images.
[0026] In some embodiments, the display system 111 may display a
virtual visualization image in which the actual location of the
interventional instrument is registered (e.g., dynamically
referenced) with preoperative or concurrent images from the modeled
anatomy to present the surgeon S with a virtual image of the
internal surgical site at the location of the tip of the surgical
instrument.
[0027] In other embodiments, the display system 111 may display a
virtual visualization image in which the actual location of the
interventional instrument is registered with prior images
(including preoperatively recorded images) or concurrent images
from the modeled anatomy to present the surgeon S with a virtual
image of an interventional instrument at the surgical site. An
image of a portion of the interventional instrument may be
superimposed on the virtual image to assist the surgeon controlling
the interventional instrument.
[0028] In FIG. 1, a control system 116 includes at least one
processor (not shown), and typically a plurality of processors, for
effecting control between the slave surgical manipulator assembly
102, the master assembly 106, the visualization system 110, and the
display system 111. The control system 116 also includes programmed
instructions (e.g., a computer-readable medium storing the
instructions) to implement some or all of the methods described
herein. While control system 116 is shown as a single block in the
simplified schematic of FIG. 1, the system may comprise a number of
data processing circuits (e.g., on the slave surgical manipulator
assembly 102 and/or on the master assembly 106), with at least a
portion of the processing optionally being performed adjacent the
slave surgical manipulator assembly, a portion being performed at
the master assembly, and the like. Any of a wide variety of
centralized or distributed data processing architectures may be
employed. Similarly, the programmed instructions may be implemented
as a number of separate programs or subroutines, or they may be
integrated into a number of other aspects of the teleoperational
systems described herein. In one embodiment, control system 116
supports wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, IrDA,
HomeRF, IEEE 802.11, DECT, and Wireless Telemetry.
[0029] In some embodiments, control system 116 may include one or
more servo controllers to provide force and torque feedback from
the interventional instruments 104 to one or more corresponding
servomotors for the control device(s) 112. The servo controller(s)
may also transmit signals instructing manipulator assembly 102 to
move instruments which extend into an internal surgical site within
the patient body via openings in the body. Any suitable
conventional or specialized servo controller may be used. A servo
controller may be separate from, or integrated with, manipulator
assembly 102. In some embodiments, the servo controller and
manipulator assembly are provided as part of a manipulator arm cart
positioned adjacent to the patient's body.
[0030] Each manipulator assembly 102 supports a interventional
instrument 104 and may comprise a kinematic structure of one or
more non-servo controlled links (e.g., one or more links that may
be manually positioned and locked in place, generally referred to
as a set-up structure) and a teleoperated manipulator. The
teleoperated manipulator assembly 102 is driven by a plurality of
actuators (e.g., motors). These motors actively move the
teleoperated manipulators in response to commands from the control
system 116. The motors are further coupled to the interventional
instrument so as to advance the interventional instrument into a
naturally or surgically created anatomical orifice and to move the
distal end of the interventional instrument in multiple degrees of
freedom, which may include three degrees of linear motion (e.g.,
linear motion along the X, Y, Z Cartesian axes) and three degrees
of rotational motion (e.g., rotation about the X, Y, Z Cartesian
axes). Additionally, the motors can be used to actuate an
articulable end effector of the instrument for grasping tissue in
the jaws of a biopsy device or the like.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a minimally invasive system 200 utilizing
aspects of the present disclosure. The system 200 may be
incorporated into a teleoperated interventional system, such as
system 100. Alternatively, the system 200 may be used for
exploratory procedures or in procedures involving traditional
manually operated interventional instruments, such as laparoscopic
instruments. The system 200 includes a catheter system 202 (e.g.,
part of the instrument 104) coupled by an interface unit 204 to a
tracking system 206. A navigation system 210 (e.g., part of the
control system 116) processes information from a virtual
visualization system 208, one or more imaging systems 212, and/or
the tracking system 206 to generate one or more image displays on a
display system 214 (e.g., part of the display system 111). The
system 200 may further include optional operation and support
systems (not shown) such as illumination systems, steering control
systems, irrigation systems, and/or suction systems.
[0032] The catheter system 202 includes an elongated flexible body
216 having a proximal end 217 and a distal end 218. A channel 219
extends within the flexible body 216. In one embodiment, the
flexible body 216 has an approximately 3 mm outer diameter. Other
flexible body outer diameters may be larger or smaller. The
catheter system 202 optionally includes a sensor system which
includes a position sensor system 220 (e.g., an electromagnetic
(EM) sensor system) and/or a shape sensor system 222 for
determining the position, orientation, speed, pose, and/or shape of
the catheter tip at distal end 218 and/or of one or more segments
224 along the body 216. The entire length of the body 216, between
the distal end 218 and the proximal end 217 may be effectively
divided into the segments 224. The position sensor system 220 and
the shape sensor system 222 interface with the tracking system 206.
The tracking system 206 may be implemented as hardware, firmware,
software or a combination thereof which interact with or are
otherwise executed by one or more computer processors, which may
include the processors of a control system 116.
[0033] The position sensor system 220 may be an EM sensor system
that includes one or more conductive coils that may be subjected to
an externally generated electromagnetic field. Each coil of the EM
sensor system 220 then produces an induced electrical signal having
characteristics that depend on the position and orientation of the
coil relative to the externally generated electromagnetic field. In
one embodiment, the EM sensor system may be configured and
positioned to measure six degrees of freedom, e.g., three position
coordinates X, Y, Z and three orientation angles indicating pitch,
yaw, and roll of a base point. Further description of an EM sensor
system is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,732, filed Aug. 11, 1999,
disclosing "Six-Degree of Freedom Tracking System Having a Passive
Transponder on the Object Being Tracked," which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0034] The shape sensor system 222 includes an optical fiber
aligned with the flexible body 216 (e.g., provided within an
interior channel (not shown) or mounted externally). The tracking
system 206 may be coupled to a proximal end of the optical fiber.
In one embodiment, the optical fiber has a diameter of
approximately 200 .mu.m. In other embodiments, the dimensions may
be larger or smaller.
[0035] The optical fiber of the shape sensor system 222 forms a
fiber optic bend sensor for determining the shape of the catheter
system 202. In one alternative, optical fibers including Fiber
Bragg Gratings (FBGs) are used to provide strain measurements in
structures in one or more dimensions. Various systems and methods
for monitoring the shape and relative position of an optical fiber
in three dimensions are described in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/180,389, filed Jul. 13, 2005, disclosing "Fiber optic
position and shape sensing device and method relating thereto;"
U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 60/588,336, filed on Jul. 16, 2004,
disclosing "Fiber-optic shape and relative position sensing;" and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,187, filed on Jun. 17, 1998, disclosing
"Optical Fibre Bend Sensor," which are incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties. In other alternatives, sensors
employing other strain sensing techniques such as Rayleigh
scattering, Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering, and
Fluorescence scattering may be suitable. In other alternative
embodiments, the shape of the catheter may be determined using
other techniques. For example, if the history of the catheter's
distal tip pose is stored for an interval of time that is smaller
than the period for refreshing the navigation display or for
alternating motion (e.g., inhalation and exhalation), the pose
history can be used to reconstruct the shape of the device over the
interval of time. As another example, historical pose, position, or
orientation data may be stored for a known point of an instrument
along a cycle of alternating motion, such as breathing. This stored
data may be used to develop shape information about the catheter.
Alternatively, a series of positional sensors, such as EM sensors,
positioned along the catheter can be used for shape sensing.
Alternatively, a history of data from a positional sensor, such as
an EM sensor, on the instrument during a procedure may be used to
represent the shape of the instrument, particularly if an
anatomical passageway is generally static. Alternatively, a
wireless device with position or orientation controlled by an
external magnetic field may be used for shape sensing. The history
of its position may be used to determine a shape for the navigated
passageways.
[0036] In this embodiment, the optical fiber may include multiple
cores within a single cladding. Each core may be single-mode with
sufficient distance and cladding separating the cores such that the
light in each core does not interact significantly with the light
carried in other cores. In other embodiments, the number of cores
may vary or each core may be contained in a separate optical
fiber.
[0037] In some embodiments, an array of FBG's is provided within
each core. Each FBG comprises a series of modulations of the core's
refractive index so as to generate a spatial periodicity in the
refraction index. The spacing may be chosen so that the partial
reflections from each index change add coherently for a narrow band
of wavelengths, and therefore reflect only this narrow band of
wavelengths while passing through a much broader band. During
fabrication of the FBG's, the modulations are spaced by a known
distance, thereby causing reflection of a known band of
wavelengths. However, when a strain is induced on the fiber core,
the spacing of the modulations will change, depending on the amount
of strain in the core. Alternatively, backscatter or other optical
phenomena that vary with bending of the optical fiber can be used
to determine strain within each core.
[0038] Thus, to measure strain, light is sent down the fiber, and
characteristics of the returning light are measured. For example,
FBG's produce a reflected wavelength that is a function of the
strain on the fiber and its temperature. This FBG technology is
commercially available from a variety of sources, such as Smart
Fibres Ltd. of Bracknell, England. Use of FBG technology in
position sensors for teleoperational surgery is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,930,065, filed Jul. 20, 2006, disclosing "Robotic
Surgery System Including Position Sensors Using Fiber Bragg
Gratings," which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0039] When applied to a multicore fiber, bending of the optical
fiber induces strain on the cores that can be measured by
monitoring the wavelength shifts in each core. By having two or
more cores disposed off-axis in the fiber, bending of the fiber
induces different strains on each of the cores. These strains are a
function of the local degree of bending of the fiber. For example,
regions of the cores containing FBG's, if located at points where
the fiber is bent, can thereby be used to determine the amount of
bending at those points. These data, combined with the known
spacings of the FBG regions, can be used to reconstruct the shape
of the fiber. Such a system has been described by Luna Innovations.
Inc. of Blacksburg, Va.
[0040] As described, the optical fiber may be used to monitor the
shape of at least a portion of the catheter system 202. More
specifically, light passing through the optical fiber is processed
by the tracking system 206 for detecting the shape of the catheter
system 202 and for utilizing that information to assist in surgical
procedures. The tracking system 206 may include a detection system
for generating and detecting the light used for determining the
shape of the catheter system 202. This information, in turn, in can
be used to determine other related variables, such as velocity and
acceleration of the parts of an interventional instrument. The
sensing may be limited only to the degrees of freedom that are
actuated by the teleoperational system, or may be applied to both
passive (e.g., unactuated bending of the rigid members between
joints) and active (e.g., actuated movement of the instrument)
degrees of freedom.
[0041] The flexible body 216 may optionally house one or more image
capture probes 226 that transmit captured image data to the imaging
system(s) 212. For example, the image capture probe 226 may be an
endoscopic probe including a tip portion with a stereoscopic or
monoscopic camera disposed near the distal end 218 of the flexible
body 216 for capturing images (including video images) that are
transmitted to the imaging system 212. The image capture probe 226
may include a cable coupled to the camera for transmitting the
captured image data. Alternatively, the image capture instrument
may be a fiber-optic bundle, such as a fiberscope, that couples to
the imaging system. The image capture instrument may be single or
multi-spectral, for example capturing image data in the visible
spectrum, or capturing image data in the visible and infrared or
ultraviolet spectrums.
[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the image capture probe 226
may be a sensor probe for use with a reflective imaging technology
such as ultrasound or optical coherence tomography (OCT). For
example, the probe may include a transmitter and receiver
arrangement, such as an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasonic
transducer can be mounted at an end of an elongated shaft. Such a
source can be used to obtain a preoperative or intraoperative
two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, or model, of the
anatomic region where the interventional procedure is to be
performed. As a two-dimensional source, the ultrasonic transducer
can be used to obtain a single ultrasound image. As a
three-dimensional source it can be used to obtain a plurality of
spaced ultrasonic images, or cuts, thereby to provide sufficient
information for construction of a three-dimensional model.
Accordingly, it can be arranged to move, including rotate, within
an anatomic site to capture such images, or cuts. This can
typically be achieved, for example, in accordance with a
pre-programmed sequence for moving the ultrasound transducer by
teleoperational control, manual movement of the ultrasound
transducer, or the like.
[0043] The body 216 may also house cables, linkages, or other
steering controls (not shown) that extend between the interface 204
and the tip distal end 218 to controllably bend or turn the distal
end 218 as shown for example by the dotted line versions of the
distal end. The catheter system may be steerable or, alternatively,
may be non-steerable with no integrated mechanism for operator
control of the instrument bending. The flexible body 216 may
further house control mechanisms (not shown) for operating a
surgical end effector or another working distal part that is
manipulable for a medical function, e.g., for effecting a
predetermined treatment of a target tissue. For instance, some end
effectors have a single working member such as a scalpel, a blade,
an optical fiber, or an electrode. Other end effectors may include
pair or plurality of working members such as forceps, graspers,
scissors, or clip appliers, for example. Examples of electrically
activated end effectors include electrosurgical electrodes,
transducers, sensors, and the like.
[0044] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, interventional tool(s)
228 for such procedures as surgery, biopsy, ablation, illumination,
irrigation, or suction can be deployed through the channel 219 of
the and used at a target location within the anatomy. The
intervertebral tool 228 may also be the image capture probe. The
tool 228 may be advanced from the opening of the channel 219 to
perform the procedure and then retracted back into the channel when
the procedure is complete. The interventional tool 228 may be
removed from the proximal end 217 of the catheter flexible body or
from another optional instrument port (not shown) along the
flexible body.
[0045] The virtual visualization system 208 provides navigation
assistance to the catheter system 202. Virtual navigation using the
virtual visualization system is based upon reference to an acquired
dataset associated with the three dimensional structure of the
anatomical passageways. More specifically, the virtual
visualization system 208 processes images of the surgical site
recorded and/or modeled using imaging technology such as
computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
fluoroscopy, thermography, ultrasound, optical coherence tomography
(OCT), thermal imaging, impedance imaging, laser imaging, nanotube
X-ray imaging, or the like. Software is used to convert the
recorded images into a two dimensional or three dimensional model
of a partial or an entire anatomical organ or anatomical region.
The model describes the various locations and shapes of the
passageways and their connectivity. The images used to generate the
model may be recorded preoperatively or intra-operatively during a
clinical procedure. In an alternative embodiment, a virtual
visualization system may use standard models (i.e., not patient
specific) or hybrids of a standard model and patient specific data.
The model and any virtual images generated by the model may
represent the static posture of a deformable anatomic region during
one or more phases of motion (e.g., during an
inspiration/expiration cycle of a lung).
[0046] During a virtual navigation procedure, the sensor systems
may be used to compute an approximate location of the instrument
with respect to the patient anatomy. The location can be used to
produce both macro-level tracking images of the patient anatomy and
virtual internal images of the patient anatomy. Various systems for
using fiber optic sensors to register and display an interventional
implement together with preoperatively recorded surgical images,
such as those from a virtual visualization system, are known. For
example U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/107,562, filed May 13,
2011, disclosing, "Medical System Providing Dynamic Registration of
a Model of an Anatomical Structure for Image-Guided Surgery," which
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses one
such system.
[0047] The navigation system 210, as part of the control system
116, processes information from the virtual visualization system
208, the one or more imaging systems 212, and/or the tracking
system 206 to determine a navigational path for the interventional
instrument through the anatomical system to the target anatomical
structure. The navigation system 210 may also monitor the
navigational path of the interventional instrument as it moves
through the anatomical system to a target structure. The navigation
system 210 includes a planning module 211 that allows a clinician
to locate a target anatomical structure (e.g., a tumor) in the
anatomical model prepared by the virtual visualization system 208
and to identify a navigational path through anatomical passageways
to reach the target structure to perform an interventional
procedure (e.g., a biopsy) with the interventional instrument. The
target localization and navigational path determination may be
automated such that the navigation system identifies one or more
navigational paths. Alternatively, a clinician may determine the
navigational path from the anatomic model and optionally
communicate the selected path to the navigational system. In still
another alternative, the planning module uses a hybrid
automated/clinician selected navigational path determination in
which the clinician may modify a system planned path or in which
the clinician may enter parameters such as anatomical areas to
avoid or instrument limitations that constrain the planned
navigational path suggested by the planning module 212.
[0048] The navigation planning module generates or allows the
clinician to select a planned deployment location within an
anatomical passageway for parking a distal end of the
interventional instrument to conduct the interventional procedure.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a virtual image 300 of target structure
302, such as a tumor, and nearby anatomic passageways 304 is
depicted. The passageways include passageway walls 306 and carina
308. In this embodiment, the anatomic passageways are bronchial
passageways of the lung, but the systems and methods of this
disclosure may be suitable for use in other natural or surgically
created passageways in anatomical systems such as the colon, the
intestines, the kidneys, the heart, or the circulatory system. An
interventional instrument with a flexible body 309 (substantially
similar to flexible body 216) and an extended interventional tool
310 are shown. In one embodiment, a navigation planning module
identifies the planned deployment location as a location 312 along
a wall of an anatomic passageway closest to or nearby to the target
structure. However, selecting the deployment location entirely on
the basis of proximity to the target structure may result in a
selected deployment location that is inaccessible or not easily
accessible by the interventional instrument. For example, the
interventional instrument may be incapable of bending sufficiently
within the passageway to access the proximity based deployment
location. Additionally the selected deployment location or the
navigational path to the deployment location may not consider
anatomical constraints, such as scar or diseased tissue to
avoid.
[0049] In other embodiments, a navigation planning module selects
the deployment location based upon a plurality of factors, which in
some instances may be procedural characteristics, such as the
distance to the target structure, and/or the position of the target
structure relative to other anatomic features. In other
embodiments, the navigation planning module may additionally or
alternatively receive and use information about the operational
capability of the interventional instrument to determine a
deployment location. For example, information pertaining to the
bending capability of the instrument may be considered, such as the
flexibility and elasticity of the catheter material, any preformed
shape characteristics of the catheter or tools passed through the
channel of the catheter, the steerability of the distal end of the
catheter or tool (e.g., the degree to which the distal tip of the
catheter may be curved relative to the main axis of the catheter),
and the curvature along the length of the catheter. Other
characteristics of the interventional instrument may also be used
to determine the deployment location including the diameter of the
catheter, the diameter of the tool, the trajectory of the tool when
extended from the catheter (e.g., curved, straight), the movement
of the tool (e.g., sweeping, spinning, linear), the maximum
angulation of the axis of the tool versus the axis of the catheter,
the maximum length the tool can be extended from the catheter, and
any anchoring structures at the distal tip of the catheter
providing frictional contact with the passageway wall. The
information pertaining to the bending capability and/or the
information related to the characteristics of the interventional
instrument are exemplary factors that can be used to determine the
operational capability of the interventional instrument within the
anatomical passageways.
[0050] The navigation planning module may also or alternatively
receive and use information about the patient anatomy to determine
a deployment location. Such information may include, for example,
the location of the carinas of the anatomical passageways nearest
to the target structure and the size of the passageways nearest to
the target structure. Other anatomic information may include the
elasticity of the anatomical passageways including the impact that
any disease processes may have had on the elasticity of the
passageways. The navigation planning model may also consider the
surrounding anatomic tissue to, for example, select a deployment
location that reduces the risk to surrounding tissue. As one
example, a deployment location away from the perimeter of a lung
may be selected to avoid the risk of puncturing the lung with the
deployed tool. The navigation planning model may also consider the
anatomy of the target structure to access a preferred location of
the target structure. For example, the deployment location may be
selected such that a biopsy tool avoids a calcified part of a
tumor.
[0051] The navigation planning module may also consider information
about the relationship between the interventional instrument and
the patient anatomy such as the distance of the target structure
from the end of the catheter. Referring to FIG. 5, the navigation
planning module may also consider the angle of approach 320 between
the interventional tool and the passageway wall. For example, an
approach angle of 90.degree. may impracticable due to the small
size of the passageway and the bendability of the distal tip of the
catheter. An approach angle of 1.degree. may also be unsuitable
because of the risk that the interventional tool may graze the
surface of the passageway wall without penetrating. For these
reasons, the navigation planning module may select a deployment
location such that the approach angle is between approximately
30.degree. and 90.degree..
[0052] Referring again to FIG. 4, after the navigation planning
module evaluates the factors related to the interventional
instrument and the patient anatomy, a deployment location 314 on
the wall of an anatomic passageway is identified. Optionally, the
navigation planning module may provide a suggested navigational
path to the deployment location. The clinician can then direct the
distal end of the interventional instrument to the deployment
location. The clinician may manually control the navigation of the
interventional instrument based upon virtual or real image
guidance. Alternatively, the clinician can teleoperationally
control the navigation of the interventional instrument or allow
computer-controlled navigation of the interventional instrument
along the suggested navigational path. After the distal end of the
interventional instrument is positioned at the deployment location,
the interventional tool is extended from the catheter, through the
passageway wall and into contact with the target structure. In some
circumstances, for example when a target structure is located
within an anatomic passageway, the deployment location may be
located within the lumen of the passageway, rather than on the wall
of the passageway. For example when the target structure is within
the passageway, the deployment location may be on a surface of the
target structure.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing a method 400 used by the
navigation planning module for identifying a planned deployment
location for an interventional instrument. At 402, a model of an
anatomic structure is received. The anatomic structure includes a
plurality of anatomic passageways which are illustrated by the
model. The model is formed from two or three dimensional images of
the surgical site recorded and/or modeled preoperatively or
interoperatively using imaging technology such as CT, MRI,
fluoroscopy, thermography, ultrasound, OCT, thermal imaging,
impedance imaging, laser imaging, nanotube X-ray imaging, or the
like. Receipt of the model may include receiving information about
the patient anatomy derived from the model, from user inputs
describing the patient anatomy, or from other reference sources.
Such information about the patient anatomy may include, for
example, the closest location(s) within an anatomic passageway(s)
to the target structure, the location of the carinas of the
anatomical passageways nearest to the target structure, and the
size of the passageways nearest to the target structure. Other
anatomic information may include the elasticity of the anatomical
passageways, the anatomy of the target structure to access a
preferred location of the target structure, and the type of
surrounding tissue and any risk associated with contacting the
surrounding tissue.
[0054] At 404, a location of a target structure (e.g., a tumor) is
identified in the model. Identifying the target structure may
include determining or receiving information about the target
structure from the model, from user inputs describing the target
structure, or from other reference sources. Such information about
the target structure may include, for example, the shape of the
target structure, the one or more substances that form the target
structure, and the location of the surfaces of the target structure
relative to nearby anatomic passageways.
[0055] At 406, information about the operational capability of the
interventional instrument is received. The information received to
determine the operational capability of the interventional
instrument may include, for example, information pertaining to the
bending capability of the instrument such as the flexibility and
elasticity of the catheter material, any preformed shape
characteristics of the catheter or tools passed through the channel
of the catheter, the steerability of the distal end of the catheter
or tool, and the curvature along the length of the catheter. The
operational capability of the interventional instrument may also be
determined from characteristics of the interventional instrument
such as the diameter of the catheter, the diameter of the tool, the
maximum angulation of the axis of the tool versus the axis of the
catheter, the maximum length the tool can be extended from the
catheter, and any anchoring structures at the distal tip of the
catheter providing frictional contact with the passageway wall.
[0056] At 408, a planned deployment location for the interventional
instrument is located. The planned deployment location may be
marked on the model of the plurality of passageways. The planned
deployment location can be selected based upon the instrument
operational capability information, the target structure
information, the patient anatomy information, or a combination of
the types of information. The selected deployment location may be
at a point in an anatomic passageway nearest to the target
structure. However, in many patients a nearest point deployment
location may be impossible for the distal end of the interventional
instrument to reach because the instrument has insufficient bend
capability within the size and elasticity constraints of the
selected anatomic passageway. A more suitable deployment location
may be at a point on an anatomic passageway wall where the
interventional instrument has an approach angle to the passageway
wall that is within the bending capability of the instrument. For
example, if the interventional instrument has an inflexible distal
end that permits little or no bending, a suitable deployment
location may be at a carina near the target structure. At the
carina the interventional instrument may be deployed at an
approximately 90.degree. approach angle to the passageway wall with
minimal bending of the distal end of the instrument. As another
example, the navigation planning module may select a deployment
location such that the approach angle is between approximately
30.degree. and 90.degree.. When selecting a deployment location,
the planning system also confirms that the interventional tool is
capable of extending from the catheter a sufficient distance to
reach the target structure to perform the interventional
procedure.
[0057] As described, the planned deployment location may be located
based on the analysis of the instrument operational capability, the
target structure, and the patient anatomy. Alternatively or in
combination with the system assessment, the planned deployment
location may be identified by a clinician and communicated to the
navigation planning module to locate or mark the
clinician-identified planned deployment location in the model. When
the navigation planning module receives the clinician-identified
planned deployment location, the module may compare it with the
system-identified deployment location. A visual or audible feedback
cue may be issued if the clinician-identified deployment location
is objectionable (e.g., "The chosen biopsy needle is not long
enough to reach the target from this deployment location.").
[0058] Optionally, the navigation planning module identifies
multiple elective deployment locations. The elective deployment
locations may be coded (e.g., with color on the display) to provide
information about the relative quality of the elective deployment
locations for deploying the interventional instrument to perform
the procedure. A clinician may select one of elective deployment
locations to be the planned deployment location. Alternatively,
more than one planned deployment location may be selected from the
elective deployment locations, allowing the interventional
procedure to be performed from different approaches. The selection
of elective deployment locations may also occur during the
interventional procedure if the clinician determines that an
initially chosen deployment location is unsuitable.
[0059] To further refine the step of identifying the target
structure, one or more of the imaging systems 212 may be used to
gather additional information about the location of the target
structure after the interventional instrument has been deployed to
the identified deployment location or the general vicinity thereof.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the virtual image 300 of target structure
302 and nearby anatomic passageways 304 is again depicted. The
distal end of the flexible body 309 is first positioned at a target
confirmation location such as location 312. The image capture probe
226 is operated to determine if the target structure 302 is in the
expected position relative to the target confirmation location. If
the target structure 302 is not found or not in the expected
position, the flexible body and image capture probe can be moved
around until the target structure is located. When the target
structure is located, the location of the distal end of the
flexible body 309 or image capture probe is recorded at a new
location 322. The navigation planning module 211 then updates the
location of the target structure 302'. With the new location of the
target structure identified, the operational capability information
for the interventional instrument is used to identify a revised
planned deployment location 324. For example, the navigation
planning module may use the difference between locations 312 and
322 to update location 314 to location 322 and to update the
location of the target structure 302 to 302'. In one embodiment,
the image capture probe uses one or more sensors for reflective
imaging technology such as ultrasound or OCT to refine the location
of the target structure. Alternatively, other non-imaging sensors
may be used to identify the location of the target structure.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a method 450 used by the
navigation planning module for revising a planned deployment
location for an interventional instrument. At 452, information is
received from the image capture probe after the probe has been
operated at the initial planned deployment location or at a target
confirmation location. At 454, a revised location of the target
structure is identified using the information received from the
image capture probe. At 456, a revised planned deployment location
is identified in the model of the plurality of passageways.
[0061] An alternative method 500 for identifying the target
structure using the imaging systems 212 is described at FIG. 9 and
illustrated at FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11. The method 500 may be
performed to identify an initial interventional deployment location
or may be used to identify a revised deployment location as
described below.
[0062] At 502, the catheter is navigated to a passageway location
such as location 312 or 314 with the guidance of the navigation
system including, for example, visual, EM or shape sensor
information. A confirmation from the clinician or from the
interventional instrument may be provided when the catheter has
reached the location. At 504, an imaging probe (e.g., an ultrasound
probe) is inserted through the catheter and the movement of the
imaging probe relative to a portion of the catheter (e.g., the
catheter tip) is tracked. In some embodiments, the same imaging
probe (e.g., the same ultrasound probe) could also be used during
the navigation of 502. The movement of the imaging probe may be
tracked, for example using a positional sensor such as a 5 or 6
degree of freedom EM sensor. Alternatively, the movement may be
tracked using an insertion sensor such as an encoder located
outside the patient anatomy. Alternatively, the movement may be
tracked by engaging a stepping motor to control the insertion
motion of the imaging probe.
[0063] At 506, the roll angle of an imaging coordinate system for
the imaging probe is determined with respect to the catheter. For
example, the roll angle may be determined using a roll alignment
feature of the axial imaging probe and the catheter (e.g. a key
system). Alternatively, a roll sensor located outside of the
patient anatomy may be used. In still another alternative, the roll
angle may be determined by viewing one or more markers or other
features with a known angle relative to the catheter in the image
recorded by the imaging probe. For example, the feature or marker
may be located on the circumference of the catheter and have a
contrast (e.g. an ultrasound contrast) to the catheter.
[0064] At 508, the catheter and/or the imaging probe is moved
around in the anatomic passageways to detect the target structure
in the image generated by the probe. At 510, after the target
structure is detected by the imaging probe, a clinician may
identify the target structure in the image using a pointing device
at a pointer location. The image (e.g. an ultrasound image) may be
generated by a scan that is gated for respiratory and/or cardiac
cycles. A three-dimensional image may be constructed from
two-dimensional scans.
[0065] At 512, the pointer location is transformed to the catheter
coordinate system or to the patient coordinate system (which has
been previously registered to the catheter coordinate system). At
514, the pointer location can be used to apply an offset to the
location of the target structure identified in the preoperative
anatomic model. A revised target structure location is computed
based upon the offset. The imaging probe may then be removed and a
biopsy tool or other interventional tool may be inserted through
the catheter to perform a procedure (e.g., a biopsy) at the revised
location.
[0066] FIG. 10A illustrates a patient reference frame indicated
with the coordinate references X.sub.P, Y.sub.P, and Z.sub.P. Also
illustrated is a catheter C having a catheter tip reference frame
indicated with the coordinate references X.sub.C, Y.sub.C, and
Z.sub.C. A target location P.sub.P is shown in the patient
reference frame. A target location Q according to the pre-op model
is shown. A correction vector O between the target locations Q and
P.sub.P is also shown. A tracked insertion length L from the
catheter tip is shown.
[0067] FIG. 10B is an ultrasound image having an image reference
frame indicated with the coordinate references X.sub.1, Y.sub.1,
and Z.sub.1. A target location P.sub.1 is shown in the image
reference frame.
[0068] FIG. 11 illustrates a biopsy procedure according to P.sub.P
instead of Q, using biopsy instrument B.
[0069] Although the systems and methods of this disclosure have
been described for use in the connected bronchial passageways of
the lung, they are also suited for navigation and treatment of
other tissues, via natural or surgically created connected
passageways, in any of a variety of anatomical systems including
the colon, the intestines, the kidneys, the brain, the heart, the
circulatory system, or the like. The methods and embodiments of
this disclosure are also suitable for non-interventional
applications.
[0070] One or more elements in embodiments of the invention may be
implemented in software to execute on a processor of a computer
system such as control system 116. When implemented in software,
the elements of the embodiments of the invention are essentially
the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The program or
code segments can be stored in a processor readable storage medium
or device that may have been downloaded by way of a computer data
signal embodied in a carrier wave over a transmission medium or a
communication link. The processor readable storage device may
include any medium that can store information including an optical
medium, semiconductor medium, and magnetic medium. Processor
readable storage device examples include an electronic circuit; a
semiconductor device, a semiconductor memory device, a read only
memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read only
memory (EPROM); a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a
hard disk, or other storage device, The code segments may be
downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, Intranet,
etc.
[0071] Note that the processes and displays presented may not
inherently be related to any particular computer or other
apparatus. The required structure for a variety of these systems
will appear as elements in the claims. In addition, the embodiments
of the invention are not described with reference to any particular
programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of
programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the
invention as described herein.
[0072] While certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have
been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not
restrictive on the broad invention, and that the embodiments of the
invention not be limited to the specific constructions and
arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications
may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
* * * * *