Automated detection, diagnostic and therapeutic method and system

Abstract

A medical insertion device which may be used with or installed within an imaging system, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The medical insertion device can generally be used to retain, position and effect insertion of a medical instrument, for example a biopsy device or an ablation treatment device. The device can generally provide linear and/or angular degrees of freedom for positioning of the medical instrument prior to an insertion of the medical instrument. The medical insertion device includes a mounting arm, an interface connected to the mounting arm for interfacing with a medical instrument, a mechanism for movement of the medical instrument or a part of the medical instrument in an insertion direction, a carriage connected to a distal end of the mounting arm, and a pivot connection between the carriage and the distal end of the mounting arm to permit pitch or yaw of the mounting arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting, diagnosing, and treating an area of interest in a patient, said method comprising the steps of
 (i) placing a patient in a position for retrieving medical information from the patient;   (ii) retrieving the medical information from the patient while in the position;   (iii) analyzing the medical information to determine an area of interest;   (iv) while maintaining the position of the patient, assessing the area of interest to determine a medical intervention for the area; and   (v) while maintaining the position of the patient, performing the medical intervention on the patient in the area of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the area of interest is a lesion. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the lesion is a tumor. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical information comprises image guidance registration information, diagnostic information, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the image guidance registration information or diagnostic information is obtained from at least one of magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray, computed tomography, radioimaging, sonography, or a radiofrequency device. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the area of interest is assessed with information obtained by insertion of a medical instrument into or near the area of interest, and wherein the medical instrument is interfaced with an insertion device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the insertion device assists in at least one of a core needle biopsy, fine needle aspiration, or vacuum assisted biopsy. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the insertion device is configured to provide at least one of a tissue marker sensing device, a tissue repair mechanism, or a diagnostic procedure. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the diagnostic procedure comprises at least one of gamma detection, spectroscopy imaging, ultrasound, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optical spectroscopy, or fluorescence. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical intervention comprises at least one of cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablative therapy, ultrasonic ablative therapy, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the medical intervention comprises at least one of radioactive seed implantation, genomics therapy, including therapy targeting brca1 or brca2, targeted anti-cancer agent delivery, or anti-seeding agents delivery to block proliferation of cancer cells. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the analysis conducted in step (iii) determines real-time parameters of the area of interest. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the real-time parameters are used to assist the assessment of the area of interest in step (iv). 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the real-time parameters are used to assist the performance of the medical intervention in step (v). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the insertion device is used to perform the medical intervention on the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the insertion device is controlled by a robotic device. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the robotic device is controlled by a control station through a communications network. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the control station comprises a user interface for receiving inputs from a user. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the robotic device responds to the user inputs provided to the user interface.