Abstract: In one form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a virtual road map of a patient's vascular anatomy for use by a surgeon while conducting a procedure on the patient's vascular anatomy, the apparatus comprising: a virtual 3D model of the patient's anatomy, wherein the virtual 3D model comprises a virtual 3D structure representing bony structure of the patient and a virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure of the patient, with the virtual 3D structure representing bony structure of the patient being in proper registration with the virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure of the patient; a fluoroscope for providing real-time images of the bony structure of the patient and a surgical device being used in the procedure; registration apparatus for placing the virtual 3D model in proper registration with the patient space of the fluoroscope; bone mask subtraction apparatus for (i) generating a bone mask of the bony structure of the patient, and (ii) subtra

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a virtual road map of a patient's vascular anatomy comprising a virtual 3D model of the patient's vascular and bony structure in proper registration with one another, a fluoroscope for providing real-time images of the bony structure of the patient, registration apparatus for placing the virtual 3D model in proper registration with the patient space of the fluoroscope, bone mask subtraction apparatus for generating a bone mask of the bony structure, and subtracting the same from the real-time images, whereby to create modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure, and image generating apparatus for generating the virtual road map comprising a composite image combining (i) images of the virtual 3D structure representing the vascular structure, and (ii) modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure, wherein the images of the virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure are in proper registration with the modified fluoroscope images omitting bony structure.

Abstract: In one form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a virtual road map of a patient's vascular anatomy for use by a surgeon while conducting a procedure on the patient's vascular anatomy, the apparatus comprising: a virtual 3D model of the patient's anatomy, wherein the virtual 3D model comprises a virtual 3D structure representing bony structure of the patient and a virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure of the patient, with the virtual 3D structure representing bony structure of the patient being in proper registration with the virtual 3D structure representing vascular structure of the patient; a fluoroscope for providing real-time images of the bony structure of the patient and a surgical device being used in the procedure; registration apparatus for placing the virtual 3D model in proper registration with the patient space of the fluoroscope; bone mask subtraction apparatus for (i) generating a bone mask of the bony structure of the patient, and (ii) subtracti