Inventors:
Donald W. Kormos - Parma OH
David W. Piraino - Shaker Heights OH
Assignee:
Picker International, Inc. - Highland Heights OH
International Classification:
A61B 5055
Abstract:
An exoskeleton material (12), such as a thermoplastic mesh, is heat softened. The heat softened material is stretched over and conformed to a soft tissue region of the patient, such as a patient's breast. The material is allowed or caused to set or harden and is affixed (14) to a patient support (10) such that the soft tissue is firmly constrained. Magnetic resonance visible markers (18) are affixed to the exoskeleton material adjacent the soft tissue. The patient is examined with a magnetic resonance imaging device (20) to generate a three-dimensional image representation (28) for display on a monitor (32). Using the markers, a wand (40) with emitters (42) receivers (44), and a coordinate system relationship processor (48) determines, a relation or transform between a coordinate system of the patient and a coordinate system of the image is determined and displayed on the monitor. A trajectory for a biopsy, resection, or the like, is planned using a guide (50). Emitters (52) on the guide are activated to generate a corresponding human-readable trajectory display through the image displayed on the monitor.