System and Method for Three-Dimensional Airway Reconstruction, Assessment and Analysis

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method for three-dimensional airway reconstruction, assessment and analysis. Specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for acquiring one- and two-dimensional data regarding a cavity, such as an esophagus or an airway, and manipulating that data to reconstruct a three-dimensional geometrical object representing that cavity. Suitable data collection methods include, but are not limited to, non-ionizing, non-invasive protocols including acoustic reflectometry, such as that performed by a DOS®- or Windows®-based pharyngometer or rhinometer. The resulting three-dimensional geometric object of the subject cavity can be used to diagnose cavity morphology/obstruction, aid in management and treatment of the obstruction, evaluate efficacy of management and treatment of the obstruction and also provide information for use in outcome analysis and forensic and medico-legal evaluation of diagnosis and treatment of cavity obstruction/stenosis.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method of reconstructing, assessing and analyzing a three-dimensional representation of a cavity comprising:
 receiving data measured by an acoustic reflectometer representative of the cross-sectional area of a cavity of an object measured at a plurality of distances from an origin point of the cavity;   storing a plurality of data files, the data files comprising the received data;   converting the received data into a three-dimensional graphical representation of the cavity by calculating a plurality of nodes based on the received cross-sectional area and distance data, forming a plurality of circles based on the calculated nodes, rotating the plurality of circles in accordance with the features of the cavity and the object and connecting the nodes following rotation of the plurality of circles to form a triangular mesh; and   storing the converted data in the storage unit.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising displaying the three-dimensional representation of the cavity a display unit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the object comprises a mammal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the object comprises a human being. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity comprises an airway. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the acoustic reflectometer comprises one of a pharyngometer or a rhinometer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising manipulating the three-dimensional representation of the cavity to analyze the effect of a new condition of the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising measuring changes in size, changes in shape and the directionality of changes to the cavity under a new condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising superimposing the three-dimensional representation of the cavity on a digital radiograph or digital photograph of the cavity. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented method of evaluating efficacy of treatment of a condition of an airway comprising:
 receiving data measured by an acoustic reflectometer representative of the cross-sectional area of a cavity of an object measured at a plurality of distances from an origin point of the cavity;   storing a plurality of data files, the data files comprising the received data;   converting the received data into a three-dimensional graphical representation of the cavity by calculating a plurality of nodes based on the received cross-sectional area and distance data, forming a plurality of circles based on the calculated nodes, rotating the plurality of circles in accordance with the features of the cavity and the object and connecting the nodes following rotation of the plurality of circles form a triangular mesh;   storing the converted data in the storage unit;   manipulating the three-dimensional representation of the cavity to analyze the effect of a new condition of the cavity; and   designing a treatment of the cavity based on the results of the manipulation.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the cavity comprises an airway. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the acoustic reflectometer comprises one of a pharynogometer or a rhinometer.