SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING NON-VISIBLE STRUCTURE OF A BODY

摘要

A monitoring system tracks the non-visible structure of a body in three dimensions. A tracker obtains image information of the object and instruments in its vicinity, all bearing 3D tracking markers. A controller spatially relates the image information with previously obtained scan data of the object revealing non-visible structure of the object. For the scan a fiducial reference detectable in the scan is removably attached to a location on the object. The scan data and image information is used by the controller to provide the user with real time information on the relative 3D locations and orientations of the instruments and the non-visible structure of the body. In a further embodiment the monitoring system may be used to model and track the changes in the body itself. In other embodiments, a model of the body and instruments is used to track contemplated actions and warn about possibly inappropriate instrument procedures.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring the position and orientation of non-visible structure of a body, the system comprising:
a fiducial reference adapted to be rigidly attached to the body; a three-dimensional tracking marker rigidly attached at a predetermined location in a predetermined orientation on an implement proximate the body; a tracker arranged to obtain image information about an area encompassing the fiducial reference and the marker; a computer system coupled to the tracker and having a previously obtained scan data of the body with the fiducial reference fixed to the body and including a processor with memory and a software program having a series of instructions for execution by the processor to determine the relative position and orientation of the marker and the fiducial reference based on the image information and the scan data scan data; and a display system in communication with the computer system; wherein the system is characterized by at least one of the marker and the tracker being connected to the fiducial reference in a fixed relative position and orientation.