Methods, systems, and computer readable media for image guided ablation

Abstract

The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for image guided ablation. One system for image guided ablation includes an ultrasound transducer for producing a real-time ultrasound image of a target volume and of surrounding tissue. The system further includes an ablation probe for ablating the target volume. The system further includes a display for displaying an image to guide positioning of the ablation probe during ablation of the target volume. The system further includes at least one tracker for tracking position and orientation of the ablation probe during the ablation of the target volume. The system further includes a rendering and display module for receiving a pre-ablation image of the target volume and for displaying a combined image on the display, where the combined image includes a motion tracked, rendered image of the ablation probe and an equally motion tracked real-time ultrasound image registered with the pre-ablation image.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for image guided ablation , the system comprising:
 an ultrasound transducer for producing a real-time ultrasound image of surrounding tissue and a target volume and surrounding tissue;   an ablation probe for ablating the target volume;   a display for displaying an image to guide positioning of the ablation probe during ablation of the target volume;   at least one tracker for tracking position of the ablation probe during the ablation of the target volume; and   a rendering and display module for receiving a pre-ablation-treatment image of the target volume and for displaying a combined image on the display, where the combined image includes a motion tracked, rendered image of the ablation probe and the real-time ultrasound image registered with the pre-ablation image of the target volume, wherein the at least one tracker tracks the positions and orientations of the user's head and of the display, wherein the rendering and display module displays the combined image from the viewpoint of the user based on the tracked positions and orientations of the display and the user's head, wherein the rendering and display module receives eye calibration data indicating positions of the user's left and right eyes with respect to the tracked position and orientation of the user's head, and wherein combined image comprises a stereoscopic image with left and right eye images generated based on the eye calibration data and the tracked position and orientation of the user's head.