Abstract

Diagnostic mapping data representing a series of planar slices through a patient are generated by a CT or other multi-plane scanner (A) and stored in an image memory (32). To free the CT or other scanner for other patients, the mapping data and patient are transferred to a second location. At the second location, the patient is restrained in a digital radiographic imaging apparatus (B) in which data representing a shadowgraphic image is generated and stored in a reference memory (60). The transferred mapping data is stored in a second image memory (32') at the second site. A shadowgraphic image synthesizer (70) synthesizes an analogous shadowgraphic image from the diagnostic mapping data in the second image memory taken relative to a selected spatial position and angular orientation. The reference and synthesized shadowgraphic images are superimposed or otherwise concurrently displayed on a video display (64). The spatial position and angular orientation from which the synthesized image is projected are adjusted until an optimal match between the superimposed images is achieved. In this manner, the current actual position of the patient and the diagnostic data in the second image memory are brought into registration. From images representing slices through the patient reconstructed from data in the image memory, the physician plans a point of entry and path through the patient which a surgical instrument (100) is to follow. A surgical instrument guide (90) is positioned such that the surgical instrument enters the patient at the coordinates at the selected point of entry and follows the selected path.