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Abstract

A method for displaying interactively a three dimensional spatial relationship between one or more real-time ultrasound image of tissue and one or more reference images of that tissue. A reference image is produced by obtaining reference image data through a probe and obtaining positional data corresponding to the reference image data by a spatial locater. Real-time images are produced by obtaining real-time image data through an ultrasound probe and obtaining positional data corresponding to the real-time image data through a spatial locater. The reference image data, the reference positional data, the real-time image data and the real-time image positional data are transmitted to a processing and storage means where independent data representing spatial relationships between the real-time image data and the reference image data are generated. Either or both of the real-time images and the reference image is displayed in which the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images is instantaneously displayed. The method is preferably iterative, such that one or more of the real time images may be stored and utilized as a reference image. Additionally, a non-imaging probe having a spatial locater may be utilized with either or both of the real-time and reference images.

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