Dual modality endocavity biopsy imaging system and method

Abstract

A dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system for detection of cancer and targeted biopsy and treatment procedures, comprising: a housing; a nuclear detector system housed within the housing and configured for detecting nuclear radiation imaging data; an ultrasound detector system housed within the housing for detecting ultrasound imaging data; a needle associated with the housing and adjustably positionable relative thereto; and a data processing module configured to receive the nuclear radiation imaging data and the ultrasound imaging data and to generate and output an image showing the relative position of the needle and an endocavity object of interest. The needle may include a distinct radiation signature to facilitate imaging thereof.

1 . A dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system, comprising:
 a housing;   a nuclear detector system housed within the housing, the nuclear detector system defining a first origin of a first coordinate system and configured for detecting nuclear radiation imaging data as coordinate positions relative to the first origin;   an ultrasound detector system housed within the housing, the ultrasound detector system defining a second origin of a second coordinate system and configured for detecting ultrasound imaging data as coordinate positions relative to the second origin;   a needle supported by the housing and adjustably positionable relative thereto, the needle having a radiation signature; and   a data processing module configured to receive the nuclear radiation imaging data which includes first coordinate system data on the position of the needle and the ultrasound imaging data which includes second coordinate system data on the position of the needle; combine the nuclear radiation imaging data with the ultrasound imaging data utilizing coordinate transformation to co-register points of the first and second coordinate systems; and to generate and output an image showing the relative position of the needle and an endocavity object of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data processing module is configured to generate separate images from the detected ultrasound and nuclear radiation data and to utilize coordinate transformation on the separate images to co-register the images. 
     
     
         3 . The dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data processing module is configured to utilize coordinate transformation to co-register the detected ultrasound and nuclear radiation data and thereafter generate the output image. 
     
     
         4 . The dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data processing module is further configured to output information indicating the relative position of the needle relative to the endocavity object of interest. 
     
     
         5 . The dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes a monitor and the output image is displayed on the monitor. 
     
     
         6 . The dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a user interface associated with the monitor for managing a targeted biopsy and treatment procedure. 
     
     
         7 . A method of imaging and/or treating an object of interest within an endocavity, comprising the steps of:
 inserting a portion of a housing of a dual modality endocavity imaging and treatment system into the endocavitity, the system including a needle having a radiation signature which is supported by and moveable relative to the housing;   activating a nuclear detector system housed within the housing and detecting nuclear radiation imaging data representing objects within the endocavity, including first coordinate data of the objects relative to a first origin defined at the nuclear detector system;   activating an ultrasound detector system and detecting ultrasound imaging data representing objects within the endocavity, including second coordinate data of the objects relative to a second origin defined at the ultrasound detector system;   utilizing coordinate transformation to co-register the first coordinate data and the second coordinate data; and   generating and outputting an image showing the relative position of the needle and the object of interest.   
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising positioning of the needle relative to the object of interest based on the output image. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of positioning of the needle includes moving the needle relative to the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the step of positioning of the needle is performed via an automated process. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising performing a biopsy with the needle. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising delivering a treatment medicine. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the step of generating the image includes generating separate images from the detected first and second coordiante data and co-registering the separate images to generate the output image.