Systems and visualization methods for intraoperative volumetric imaging of tissue samples

Inventors

Han, Xiao • WIETHOLT, Christian

Assignees

Clarix Imaging Corp

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for improved intra-operative micro-CT imaging of explanted tissue samples and for improved visualization of such samples. These embodiments provide for reduced scan times and the ability for radiologists to quickly receive useful scan imagery and to provide accurately-communicated recommendations to the operating surgeon. Improved scan visualization methods facilitate surgeon and radiologist interaction with the scan data, including of annotation, viewing, and re-orientation to accurately reflect the orientation of imaged tissue samples relative to the body prior to explantation. Improved visualization methods include color-coded sample texturing to indicate sample orientation, color-coded tumor visualization to indicate proximity to sample margins, and intuitive methods for adjusting the location and orientation of two-dimensional visualizations relative to the sample.

Core Innovation

The invention describes a portable intra-operative micro-CT imaging system that generates volumetric density information for a target sample from scan data. The system operates locally in a portable housing and includes an imager and a controller coupled to a communications interface. Using a reconstruction process, the system converts the scan data into volumetric density information for the target sample.

The system receives, from a remote system, a request for a particular cross-sectional view defined by a specified orientation and through a specified location of the target sample. In response to the request, the controller renders a two-dimensional image of the target sample from the volumetric density information so that the two-dimensional image represents the target sample according to the requested cross-sectional view. The system transmits an indication of the two-dimensional image back to the remote system.

The invention further includes visualization and user interface concepts that present the rendered information in a way that supports surgeon understanding. A user interface displays a perspective representation and an orthogonal cross-section selectable plane, with re-orientation to match sample orientation and to reflect specified oriented cross-sectional views. The visualization includes virtual inking using color-coding of surface orientation and color-coded segmentation or tumor surfaces based on proximity and distance to tissue margins, including a segmentation surface color coding derived from distances to nearest points on an outside surface.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim set includes 1 independent claim. It covers an end-to-end portable system that reconstructs volumetric density information locally, receives remote requests for oriented cross-sectional views, renders corresponding two-dimensional images, and transmits an indication of those images back to the remote system.

Across the independent claim, the core coverage combines portable generation of volumetric density information from scan data using a reconstruction process and remote-driven rendering of corresponding two-dimensional cross-sectional images at specified orientation and location, followed by transmission of an indication of the two-dimensional image back to the remote system.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications