Contact-free control of medical imaging systems
Inventors
Burion, Steve Denis • Liu, Henry Hong Lin
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8908828-B2
Publication Date
2014-12-09
Expiration Date
2032-08-06
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for contactless control of a medical imaging system. A medical image can be acquired and displayed, and an aspect of the image can be altered based on a tracked position of a user body part. The user can be sensed by a sensing device, and the user body part tracked by a tracking unit in a first processing unit. A second processing unit can be coupled to the first processing unit and can have a control unit for controlling the medical imaging system.
Core Innovation
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for contactless control of a medical imaging system, enabling a user, such as a surgeon, to interact with the imaging system and alter aspects of medical images without physical contact. This is achieved by tracking the position of a user’s body part, such as a hand or wrist, and using those tracked positions to modify image aspects like the size or location of a region of interest (ROI) on the displayed image. A sensing device detects the user, a processing unit tracks relevant body parts, and a control unit interacts with the imaging system.
The invention addresses the problem in existing image-guided interventional procedures, especially those using fluoroscopy and other X-ray based imaging, where surgeons must physically touch a screen or stylus to define an ROI, which creates sterility concerns as those objects may not be sterilized. In highly sterile environments like operating rooms, this leads to either the risk of contamination or inefficient, time-consuming sterilization processes.
The core innovation consists of defining a control zone linked to a reference body point and using tracked positions of one or more body parts within that zone to activate and control aspects of the medical imaging system in a contact-free manner. This setup enables hands-free, intuitive modification of imaging parameters, such as moving or resizing the ROI, which can be reflected in how the imaging system delivers radiation or displays images. The method also supports various modes of activation, such as time-based gestures, voice commands, or additional non-contact cues, ensuring flexible system operation across different environments.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims, each introducing significant inventive features related to contactless control of medical imaging systems.
Contactless alteration of medical image based on tracked position of user body part
A method for contactless control of a medical imaging system that includes: - Acquiring a medical image from the medical imaging system. - Displaying the medical image. - Tracking a first position of a first body part of a user. - Altering a first aspect of the medical image based on the tracked position.
Contactless control system with sensing device, processing units, tracking, display and control
A system comprising: - A sensing device configured to sense a user. - A first processing unit coupled to the sensing device. - A tracking unit in the first processing unit for determining a first position of a first body part of the user. - A second processing unit coupled to the first processing unit. - A medical imaging system coupled to the second processing unit. - A display coupled to the medical imaging system for displaying a medical image. - A control unit in the second processing unit for controlling the medical imaging system.
The inventive features center on using tracked user body part positions to alter medical image aspects without contact and define a system architecture that enables such hands-free imaging system control.
Stated Advantages
Enables physicians to control regions of interest and imaging parameters without physical contact, reducing contamination risk in sterile environments.
Eliminates the need for sterilizing control objects such as styli or screens, thereby saving time and streamlining interventional procedures.
Allows for intuitive, contact-free human-computer interaction, improving operational convenience and flexibility during medical procedures.
Documented Applications
Intraoperative medical imaging, particularly for interventional procedures such as catheter insertions or tissue manipulations under image guidance.
Hands-free control of medical imaging or other medical devices operated under sterile conditions.
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