Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing treatment on an internal target region while compensating for breathing and other motion of the patient is provided in which the apparatus comprises a first imaging device for periodically generating positional data about the internal target region and a second imaging device for continuously generating positional data about one or more external markers attached to the patient's body or any external sensor such as a device for measuring air flow. The apparatus further comprises a processor that receives the positional data about the internal target region and the external markers in order to generate a correspondence between the position of the internal target region and the external markers and a treatment device that directs the treatment towards the position of the target region of the patient based on the positional data of the external markers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to immobilize a breast of a patient and position a fiducial about the exterior of the breast. The apparatus includes a cup forming a cavity to accept the breast of the patient within the cup. The apparatus also includes a fiducial marker coupled to the cup. The fiducial marker has a spatial relationship with a target region of the breast.

Abstract: An anchored fiducial apparatus is described. The fiducial apparatus anchors itself in the target region once inserted so that the fiducial apparatus does not move relative to the target region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an internal target region during treatment without implanted fiducials is presented. The method comprises producing a plurality of first images that show an internal volume including the internal target region, then producing a live image of the internal volume during treatment and matching this live image to one of the plurality of first images. Since the first images show the internal target region, matching the live image to one of the first images identifies the position of the target region regardless of whether the second image itself shows the position of the target region. The first images may be any three-dimensional images such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. The live image may be, for example, an x-ray image. The invention may be used in conjunction with a real-time sensor to track the position of the target region on a real-time basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively and accurately localizing and treating a target within a patient are provided. A three dimensional mapping of a region surrounding the target is coupled to a surgical intervention. Two or more diagnostic beams at a known non-zero angle to one another may pass through the mapping region to produce images of projections within the mapping region in order to accurately localize and treat the target wherein the images are captured using one or more image recorders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an internal target region during treatment without implanted fiducials is presented. The method comprises producing a plurality of first images that show an internal volume including the internal target region, then producing a live image of the internal volume during treatment and matching this live image to one of the plurality of first images. Since the first images show the internal target region, matching the live image to one of the first images identifies the position of the target region regardless of whether the second image itself shows the position of the target region. The first images may be any three-dimensional images such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. The live image may be, for example, an x-ray image. The invention may be used in conjunction with a real-time sensor to track the position of the target region on a real-time basis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing treatment on an internal target region while compensating for breathing and other motion of the patient is provided in which the apparatus comprises a first imaging device for periodically generating positional data about the internal target region and a second imaging device for continuously generating positional data about one or more external markers attached to the patient's body or any external sensor such as a device for measuring air flow. The apparatus further comprises a processor that receives the positional data about the internal target region and the external markers in order to generate a correspondence between the position of the internal target region and the external markers and a treatment device that directs the treatment towards the position of the target region of the patient based on the positional data of the external markers.

Abstract: An anchored fiducial apparatus is described. The fiducial apparatus anchors itself in the target region once inserted so that the fiducial apparatus does not move relative to the target region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing treatment on an internal target region while compensating for breathing and other motion of the patient is provided in which the apparatus comprises a first imaging device for periodically generating positional data about the internal target region and a second imaging device for continuously generating positional data about one or more external markers attached to the patient's body or any external sensor such as a device for measuring air flow. The apparatus further comprises a processor that receives the positional data about the internal target region and the external markers in order to generate a correspondence between the position of the internal target region and the external markers and a treatment device that directs the treatment towards the position of the target region of the patient based on the positional data of the external markers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing treatment on an internal target region while compensating for breathing and other motion of the patient is provided in which the apparatus comprises a first imaging device for periodically generating positional data about the internal target region and a second imaging device for continuously generating positional data about one or more external markers adapted to be attached to the patient's body or any external sensor such as a device for measuring air flow. The apparatus further comprises a processor that receives the positional data about the internal target region and the external markers in order to generate a correspondence between the position of the internal target region and the external markers and a treatment device that directs the treatment towards the position of the target region of the patient based on the positional data of the external markers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to correct the geometric distortion caused by field inhomogeneity in MR images such as images of patients wearing MR-compatible stereotaxic frames. A previous distortion correction method derives patient-dependent error maps by computing the phase-difference of 3D images acquired at different T.sub.E 's. The time difference (.DELTA.T.sub.E =4.9 ms at 1.5 T) is chosen such that the water and fat signals are in phase. However, .DELTA.T.sub.E is long enough to permit phase wraps in the difference images for frequency offsets greater than 205 Hz. Phase unwrapping techniques resolve these only for connected structures; therefore the phase difference for fiducial rods may be off by multiples of 2 .pi. relative to the head. This uncertainty is removed by using an additional single 2D phase-difference image with .DELTA.T.sub.E =1 ms (during which time no phase-wraps are typically expected) to determine the correct multiple of 2 .pi. for each rod.

Abstract: An in-vivo correction method for the non-linear, shape dependent spatial distortion in MR images due to magnetic field inhomogeneity including inhomogeneity due to susceptibility variations is disclosed. Geometric distortion at the air/tissue and tissue/bone interfaces before and after the correction is quantified using a phantom. The results are also compared to the "distortion-free" CT images of the same phantom. Magnetic susceptibility of cortical cattle bone was measured using a SQUID magnetometer and found to be -8.86 ppm which is quite similar to that of tissue (-9 ppm). The distortion at the bone/tissue boundary was negligible while that at the air/tissue boundary created displacements of about 2.0 mm with a1.5T main magnetic field and a 3.13 mT/m gradient field, a significant value if MR images are used to localize targets with the high accuracy expected for stereotaxic surgery. The correction method reduces the errors to at least the same level of accuracy as CT.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are set forth for selectively irradiating a target within a patient. A 3-dimensional mapping is provided of a mapping region surrounding the target. A beaming apparatus emits a collimated beam. Diagnostic beams at a known non-zero angle to one another pass through the mapping region. They produce images of projections within the mapping region. Electronic representations of the images are compared with the reference data thereby locating the target. The relative positions of the beaming apparatus and the living organism are adjusted in such a manner that the collimated beam is focused on the target region. The comparison is repeated at small time intervals and, when the comparison so indicates, the adjusting step is repeated, as needed, and in such a manner that the collimated beam remains focused on to the target region.