# How Medical Scanners Track Surgical Tools in Real-Time > This patent describes a method for medical imaging devices to accurately show the real-time 3D position of surgical tools and implants inside a patient during an operation, using a combination of initial 3D scans and live 2D X-ray images. - **Patent:** US 12357189 - **Original title:** Method and device for operating a medical imaging device for the positionally correct representation of non-anatomical structures during an imaging examination - **Owner:** Ziehm Imaging - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** medical_devices, software, ai_ml ## What it does The patent details a method for medical imaging systems to precisely track non-anatomical structures, like surgical instruments, inside a patient during a procedure. It starts with an initial 3D scan (Claim 1) to create a detailed anatomical model. Then, it continuously takes new 2D X-ray images (Claim 1) and uses machine learning to identify both the patient's anatomy and the surgical tools within these images (Claim 10). The system reconstructs a 3D view of the tools from these 2D images, removing visual clutter using machine learning (Claim 1). It then aligns this live 3D view of the tools with the initial detailed anatomical model, creating a "navigation volume" (Claim 1) that shows where the tools are in relation to the patient's body. For example, a surgeon could see the exact 3D path of a guide wire (Claim 14) as it moves through a blood vessel, overlaid on a pre-operative CT scan. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover systems that only use a single initial 3D image without continuous 2D updates to track structures. - Does not cover tracking non-anatomical structures without first extracting an anatomical model from an initial 3D image. - Does not cover methods that calculate the non-anatomical 3D image without using machine learning to remove artifacts from partial 3D reconstructions. - Does not cover systems that track non-anatomical structures without registering the live anatomical 3D image with the initial 3D image to determine a coordinate transformation. - Does not cover methods that do not combine the anatomical model and the non-anatomical 3D image into a "navigation volume" using the determined coordinate transformation. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in combining initial high-resolution 3D anatomical data with real-time, lower-resolution 2D images to dynamically track non-anatomical objects in 3D. It specifically uses machine learning to clean up the 3D reconstructions of these objects and accurately register them within the patient's overall anatomy. ## Real-world examples 1. Image-guided neurosurgery systems 2. Cardiac catheterization labs 3. Orthopedic surgery navigation 4. Interventional radiology suites 5. C-arm X-ray systems with navigation capabilities ## Why it matters This technology is important for image-guided surgery and interventional procedures, where precision is critical. By providing real-time, positionally correct 3D views of instruments like catheters or guide wires (Claim 14) within a patient's anatomy, it can help surgeons navigate complex areas, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes. It enables more accurate placement of implants and devices. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Medical Scanners Track Surgical Tools in Real-Time cover? This patent describes a method for medical imaging devices to accurately show the real-time 3D position of surgical tools and implants inside a patient during an operation, using a combination of initial 3D scans and live 2D X-ray images. ### Who owns patent US 12357189? Ziehm Imaging owns this patent, granted in 2025. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on July 29, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology is important for image-guided surgery and interventional procedures, where precision is critical. By providing real-time, positionally correct 3D views of instruments like catheters or guide wires (Claim 14) within a patient's anatomy, it can help surgeons navigate complex areas, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes. It enables more accurate placement of implants and devices. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover systems that only use a single initial 3D image without continuous 2D updates to track structures. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12357189/method-and-device-for-operating-a-medical-imaging-device-for-the-positionally-co **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12357189 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Fixing Blurry Tomography Scans from Patient Movement](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10307129/apparatus-and-method-for-reconstructing-tomography-images-using-motion-informati) — This patent describes a method for creating clearer 3D medical scans by using two different X-ray scans to detect and correct for patient movement during the imaging process. - [How Surgical Robots Reconfigure Their Arms Without Moving the Tool Tip](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9949801/systems-and-methods-for-commanded-reconfiguration-of-a-surgical-manipulator-usin) — This patent describes how a surgical robot arm can move and reshape itself to avoid obstacles or improve its position, all while keeping its surgical tool perfectly still at the patient's entry point or target. - [How a Surgical Robot Attaches Tools and Stays Sterile](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12127807/surgical-system-instrument-mounting) — Intuitive Surgical's patent details a robotic surgical system that securely mounts medical instruments, transfers precise movements, and ensures sterility through a unique rotating drape mechanism. - [How a Surgical Robot Arm's Wrist Moves Instruments](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12414825/surgical-arm) — This patent describes a specific design for the end part of a surgical robot arm, called the terminal portion, which uses a clever arrangement of three joints to precisely position and rotate surgical tools. - [How Early CT Scans Created Detailed Body Images](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3778614/ct-scanner-hounsfield) — This 1973 patent describes a method for using X-rays from many angles to build a detailed 2D image of the inside of a body, like a slice of a CT scan.