System for measuring the true dimensions and orientation of objects in a two dimensional image

Abstract

The invention is a system for measuring the true dimensions and orientation of objects in a two dimensional image. The system is comprised of a ruler comprising at least one set of features each comprised of two or more markers that are identifiable in the image and having a known spatial relationship between them and a software package comprising programs that allow extension of the ruler and other objects in the two dimensional image beyond their physical dimensions or shape. The system can be used together with radiographic imagery means, processing means, and display means to take x-ray images and to measure the true dimensions and orientation of objects and to aid in the identification and location of a surgery tool vs. anatomy in those x-ray images. The invention provides a method of drawing and displaying on a two dimensional x-ray image measurements of objects visible in said image, graphical information, or templates of surgical devices.

1 . A system for imaging based surgical support in orthopedic implant procedures, said system comprising:
 an invasive surgical tool including a set of features identifiable in a two dimensional (2D) medical image and having known spatial relationships between them;   receiving circuitry adapted to receive a given 2D medical image of the surgical tool in contact with, or within, an organ of a subject of a given orthopedic implant procedure;   an image processor adapted to derive, from the appearances of said features in the 2D medical image, a spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ and determine, based on the derived spatial relationship, an expected collocation of an orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and   rendering circuitry adapted to render the expected collocation upon an associated display.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the 2D medical image is an x-ray. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said receiving circuitry is further adapted to receive a series of 2D medical images of the surgical tool in contact with, or within, the organ of the subject of the given orthopedic implant procedure;   said image processor is further adapted to derive from each given image of the series, from the appearances of said features in the given image, a given spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ and determine for each given image of the series, based on the derived given spatial relationship, a given expected collocation of the orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and   said rendering circuitry is further adapted to render the given expected collocations in sequence in real time.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the image processing circuitry is further adapted to identify a contour of the organ in the given 2D medical image. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said image processor is further adapted to derive, from the appearances of said features in the 2D medical image, measurements of dimensions within the image and render the measurements on the image on the associated display. 
     
     
         6 . A system for imaging based surgical support in orthopedic implant procedures, said system comprising:
 a two dimensional (2D) medical imaging device adapted to capture an image of a subject of a given orthopedic implant procedure, during the implant procedure;   an image processor adapted:   
       (i) identify, in real time, features of an invasive surgical tool in contact with, or within, an organ of a subject of the implant procedure; 
       (ii) derive, from spatial relationships between the identified features, a spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ; and 
       (iii) determine, in real time, based on the derived spatial relationships, an expected collocation of an orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and
 rendering circuitry adapted to render, in real time, the expected collocation upon an associated display. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the 2D medical imaging device is an x-ray device. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said 2D imaging device is further adapted to capture a series of 2D medical images of the subject, during the implant procedure;   said image processor is further adapted to derive from each given image of the series, from the appearances of said features in the given image, a given spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ and determine for each given image of the series, based on the derived given spatial relationship, a given expected collocation of the orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and   said rendering circuitry is further adapted to render the given expected collocations in sequence in real time.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the image processing circuitry is further adapted to identify a contour of the organ in the given 2D medical image. 
     
     
         10 . A method for imaging based surgical support in orthopedic implant procedures, said method comprising:
 capturing a two dimensional a 2D image of a subject of a given orthopedic implant procedure, during the implant procedure, using a (2D) medical imaging device;   using an image processor to identify, in real time, features of an invasive surgical tool in contact with, or within, an organ of the subject;   using the image processor to derive, from spatial relationships between the identified features, a spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ;   using the image processor to determine, in real time, based on the derived spatial relationships, an expected collocation of an orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and   rendering upon an associated display the expected collocation, in real time.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the medical imaging device is an x-ray device. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 capturing a series of 2D medical images of the subject, during the implant procedure;   using the image processor to derive from each given image of the series, from the appearances of said features in the given image, a given spatial relationship between said invasive surgical tool and the organ;   determining for each given image of the series, based on the derived given spatial relationship, a given expected collocation of the orthopedic implant in relation to the organ; and   rendering upon the associated display the given expected collocations in sequence in real time.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising using the image processor to identify a contour of the organ in the 2D medical image.