INTRA-OPERATIVE CT SCANNER

摘要

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a tracking system. The tracking system determines the position and orientation of the surgical instrument relative to the patient and relative to a 3D image of the patient. The relative locations of the surgical instrument and 3D image are shown on a display. The tracking system also determines the position and orientation of a CT scanner that takes x-ray update images of a selected area of interest of the patient. A computer stores data at least partially representing an area of a patient. The computer generates a 3D image or model of the area of interest based upon the update images of the area of interest and based upon the data. The area of interest can be selected on the computer display, automatically based upon the tracked positions of the surgical instrument, or through the use of an interest indicator instrument. The surgeon places the tip of the interest indicator instrument near the physical area of interest and then activates a switch or button on the interest indicator instrument. The area of interest is then defined as an area surrounding the tip of the interest indicator instrument at the time the switch was activated.