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Abstract

A frameless stereotactic CT scanner includes a virtual needle display for planning image-guided interventional procedures. The virtual needle is useful for planning the introduction of an object such as a biopsy probe into a patient at an entry point along a trajectory to a target point within the patient. Using an imaging device, the patient is scanned to generate an image volume data set of an area of the patient. Using a stereotactic mechanical arm assembly mounted on one end to the imaging device, a surgical planning device is positioned adjacent the patient on the imaging device. A display includes a first transverse axial view of the patient taking through an image slice corresponding to the virtual needle entry point on the patient and, a second transverse axial view of the patient taken on an image slice of the image volume data set corresponding to a target point within the patient. A first oblique axial/coronal view is also displayed together with the first and second transverse axial views, the oblique coronal view being co-planar with the virtual needle trajectory and closest to the coronal axis. An oblique sagittal view is displayed together with the above images, the oblique sagittal view being co-planar with the virtual needle. A manually adjustable virtual needle depth control member is used to adjust the 'length' of a virtual needle displayed within the image volume data set. Each of the views displayed are simultaneously updated to reflect the then current position and orientation of a surgical planning device on a stereotactic mechanical arm assembly.

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