Method of identification of an element in two or more images

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for identification of an element in two or more images. The method comprises the steps of, identifying, in an image an integral three-dimensional element visible in the image, and identifying in a first image the three-dimensional element, identifying in a second image the three-dimensional element. Subsequently, collating is performed based on the first image and the second image and based on a determination of the position of the three-dimensional element in the first image and the position of the three-dimensional element in the second image. Thereby, a position and/or an extension in three dimensions of a bodily matter of interest within the human body or the animal body may be established.

1 . A method for identification of an element in two or more images, the method comprising the steps of,
 identifying, in an image, a single integral three-dimensional element visible in the image, said single integral three-dimensional element being in position in a human body or an animal body in relation to a bodily matter of interest within the human body or the animal body, the method comprising the steps of:   identifying in a first image the single integral three-dimensional element, visible in the first image,   identifying in a second image the same single integral three-dimensional element, visible in the second image,   collating the first image and the second image based on a determination of the position of the one and same single integral three-dimensional element in the first image and the position of the one and same single integral three-dimensional element in the second image.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the further step of,
 establishing a position and/or establishing an extension and/or establishing a shape of the at least one single integral three-dimensional element in reference to the bodily matter of interest within the human body or the animal body, the establishing being based on collating the first image and the second image.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , where identifying the position of the at least one single integral three-dimensional element is used also for determining at least one of the following physical characteristics in relation to the at least one single integral three-dimensional element: A shape of the element and/or an extension of the element. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more images, being derived by different types of imaging equipments, are collated based on determination of at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, in each of the images: the position or the extension or the shape of the element. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more images, being derived under different set-up conditions when deriving the images, are collated based on determination of at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, in each of the images: the position or the extension or the shape of the element. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the two or more images are derived with a time interval between the deriving of the images and are collated based on determination of at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, in each of the images: the position or the extension or the shape of the element. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more images are being collated automatically, based on an automatic identification of the single integral three-dimensional element in the different images. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein more images are derived with a time interval between the deriving of the images and are being collated automatically and continuously, based on an automatic identification of at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, in each of the images: the position or the extension or the shape of the element. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the further step of,
 setting up treatment specifications according to the information in the two or more collated images.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the further step of,
 comparing at least one of the following characteristics of the bodily matter of interest: the position or the extension or the shape of the matter,   in reference to at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, in each image: the position or the extension or the shape of the element.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the further step of,
 using at least one of the following characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element: the position or the extension or the shape of the element, relative to a reference in the first image as a reference-position,   comparing at least one of the characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element: the position or the extension or the shape of the element, relative to the same reference in the second image, with the reference-position in the first image   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , said method comprising the further step of,
 guiding a treatment equipment according to the comparison of at least one of the characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element relative to the reference in the second image with at least one of the characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element relative to the reference-position of the same reference in the first image.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the treatment equipment to be guided is an external beam radio therapy equipment. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the same single integral three-dimensional element is used for setting up treatment specifications, based on collated pre-treatment images, and for comparing at least one of the characteristics of the single integral three-dimensional element, relative to a reference in one or more just-before-treatment-images or in one or more during-treatment-images, with the reference-position in the pre-treatment images, and possibly the step of guiding a treatment equipment, where the same single integral three-dimensional element possibly is used without re-insertion or re-positioning of the single integral three-dimensional element. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging equipment is medical imaging equipment such as Magnetic Resonance scan (MR-scan), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance scan (NMR-scan), Magnetic Resonance Image scan (MRI-scan), Computerized Tomography scan (CT-scan), Cone Beam CT-scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Positron Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Single Positron Emission Tomography (SPET), Image-Guided-Radiation-Therapy (IGRT), Ultrasound-scan, or X-ray, high-energy photons equipment or high/mega voltage equipment. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) is intended for being placed and fixed inside a natural body cavity of the human body or the animal body. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element is a tubular endoluminal prosthesis. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claims 16 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) is a helical coil of at least one wire. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) has a shape allowing passage of a liquid, gas or solid inside the cavity in which the element is in position. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element is a tubular endoluminal prosthesis. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claims 19 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) is a helical coil of at least one wire. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cavity has at least one surrounding wall, and wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) has a collapsible design enabling a collapsed design before the element ( 7 ) is positioned in the cavity, and enabling an expanded design when the element ( 7 ) is in position in the cavity. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) is in position in the body preliminary to deriving the first image and the second image, said positioning of the element having been performed through a natural opening of the body ( 1 ) without substantially penetrating any tissue of the body ( 1 ). 
     
     
         24 . A system for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , comprising image deriving equipment for identifying a single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) in the first image and in the second image, image processing equipment for identifying the position of the single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) in the first image and in the second image, image processing equipment for collating the first image and the second image, said collating being based on a determination of at least the position of the one and same single integral three-dimensional element in the first image and of at least the position of the one and same single integral three-dimensional element in the second image. 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 24 , wherein the imaging equipment is medical imaging equipment such as Magnetic Resonance scan (MR-scan), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance scan (NMR-scan), Magnetic Resonance Image scan (MRI-scan), Computerized Tomography scan (CT-scan), Cone Beam CT-scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Positron Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Single Positron Emission Tomography (SPET), Image-Guided-Radiation-Therapy (IGRT), Ultrasound-scan, or X-ray, high-energy photons equipment or high/mega voltage equipment. 
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one single integral three-dimensional element ( 7 ) has a design enabling at least one of the following operations: insertion and retraction of the element ( 7 ) with specifically adapted endoscopic equipment.