Method for displaying a hollow space in an object under investigation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for displaying a hollow space in an object under investigation, wherein the hollow space has an access point and a target point for a surgical instrument which can be introduced at least partially into the hollow space, and wherein a three dimensional image data set of a section of the hollow space having the access point and/or the target point is determined and spatially displayed. By highlighting the access point and/or the target point in the spatial display of the hollow space section it is possible to make a method available which provides the surgical staff with improved guidance in the object under investigation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention will emerge from an exemplary embodiment that is further explained with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a device for determining a spatial display of a hollow space section

FIG. 2 shows a spatial display of a hollow space section in the form of diagrams.

Claims

1.-6. (canceled)

7. A method for displaying a hollow space of a patient under a medical examination, the hollow space having an access point and a target point for inserting a surgical instrument, comprising: determining a three dimensional image data set of a section of the hollow space containing the target point;spatially displaying the three dimensional image data set; andhighlighting the target point in the spatial display of the section of the hollow space.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the access point is determined in the three dimensional image data set of the section of the hollow space and highlighted in the spatial display of the section of the hollow space.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a point of interest between the access point and the target point on the section of the hollow space is highlighted in the spatial display as a reference point.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a planned path for the surgical instrument from the access point to the target point in the section of the hollow space is highlighted in the spatial display.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the planned path is highlighted by a polygonal line comprising the access point, the target point and the reference point.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the planned path is determined by a user of the surgical instrument.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the planned path is determined by a computer program.

14. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a position of a section of the inserted surgical instrument is determined and displayed in the spatial display of the section of the hollow space section.

15. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a status of a section of the inserted surgical instrument is determined and displayed in the spatial display of the section of the hollow space section

16. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the section of the hollow space is displayed without a surrounding imposed by the object.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the surrounding is a potentially distracting anatomical background of the patient.

18. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the highlighting is applied by a computer program.

19. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the highlighting is applied manually by a user of the surgical instrument.

20. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the highlighting is a color or a flash.

21. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hollow space is a vascular tree of the patient.

22. A method for displaying a hollow space of a patient under a medical examination, the hollow space having an access point and a target point for inserting a surgical instrument, comprising: determining a three dimensional image data set of a section of the hollow space having the access point and the target point;spatially displaying the three dimensional image data set; andhighlighting the access point and the target point in the spatial display of the section of the hollow space.

23. A medical instrument for displaying a hollow space of a patient under a medical investigation, comprising: a surgical instrument that at least partially inserts into the hollow space from an access point to a target point;a medical image recording unit that records an image data set of a section of the hollow space having the access point and the target point;a data processing unit that calculates the image data set to a three dimensional data set of the section of the hollow space; andan input/output unit that displays the three dimensional data set of the section of the hollow space and highlights the access point and the target point in the display.

24. The medical instrument as claimed in claim 23, wherein a planned path for the surgical instrument from the access point to the target point in the section of the hollow space is highlighted in the display.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein a position of the inserted surgical instrument is determined and displayed in the display of the section of the hollow space section.

26. The medical instrument as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a control unit that compares the position of the surgical instrument with the planned path.