Virtualized endoscope system

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6346940
SERIAL NO

09031661

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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An image processing system displaying an endoscopic image of a three-dimensional object from a desired viewpoint position and view direction. A three-dimensional model preparation unit prepares a three-dimensional model of the object and an endoscopic image preparation unit prepares a first image of the three-dimensional model as viewed from the viewpoint position and view direction. A simulated endoscopic examination of a virtual subject can be realized by permitting an operator to change the viewpoint position and view direction to coincide with the movement of a virtual endoscope. The usefulness of the virtual endoscope is enhanced with various features of the invention which facilitate control over the virtual endoscope and make the virtual images useful in the insertion of a real endoscope. Such features include: the superimposition of endoscopic images; an indicator image which indicates the orientation of the virtual endoscope relative to the organ being examined; a compass image indicating the orientation of a virtual subject relative to the virtual endoscope tip; guiding markers which indicate the direction in which the virtual or real endoscope is to be advanced; and focus markers which reveal the location of predetermined conditions such as a nidus within the virtual subject. A virtual operation device, modeled after an actual endoscope operating member, is used to control movement of the virtual endoscope tip within the virtual subject.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONOTAWARA-SHI TOCHIGI-KEN 324-8550

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Fukunaga, Tomohisa Tochigi-ken, JP 4 210

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  • 195 Citation Count
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  • 23 Age
Citation count rangeNumber of patents cited in rangeNumber of patents cited in various citation count ranges131 - 4000.050.10.150.20.250.30.350.40.450.50.550.60.650.70.750.80.850.90.9511.05

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