Systems and methods for improved visualization during minimally invasive procedures

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for performing a minimally invasive procedure in an automated or semi-automated fashion, where an imaging probe having an imaging modality compatible with the presence of an intraluminal medium is employed to record images that are processed to identify regions of interest and direct a medium displacement operation during a subsequent minimally invasive operation that benefits from the displacement of the intraluminal medium. The minimally invasive operation may include recording images with a second imaging modality, or may be a therapeutic treatment. The method is may be performed in real-time, where images obtained from the first imaging modality are processed in real time to determine whether or not the minimally invasive operation is to be performed at a given position.

主权项

1. A method of directing a medium displacement operation for performing a minimally invasive procedure within a lumen or cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a first set of images from a first imaging modality when a first translation operation of a functional component of an imaging probe is performed; spatially correlating the first set of images with an associated position of the functional component of the imaging probe, wherein the first imaging modality is compatible with a presence of a displaceable medium; processing the first set of images and identifying a region of interest; and directing a medium displacement operation while a second translation operation of the functional component of the imaging probe is performed over the region of interest; wherein the minimally invasive procedure is performed within the region of interest during the medium displacement operation.