Stimulating a beneficial human response by using visualization of medical scan data to achieve psychoneuroimmunological virtual reality

Patent 5546943 Issued on August 20, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 9, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Inventor

Gould, Duncan K.

Application

No. 353140 filed on 12/09/1994

US Classes:

600/425, With tomographic imaging obtained from electromagnetic wave128/898, Methods434/262, ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT, OR SURGERY RELATING TO HUMAN BEING434/267, Anatomical representation600/418With means for communicating with patient

Examiners

Primary: Smith, Ruth S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Class

A61B 006/00

Abstract

A visualization system using a computer to provide a patient with a view of their internal anatomy based on medical scan data. The medical scan data is obtained from three-dimensional scanning system, such as Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI), Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The patient is presented with such data in an interactive virtual reality environment. The patient acts upon indications of the ailment within the virtual reality environment by using "tools" or other devices that produce a visual representation of the ailment being diminished in nature. This creates a psychoneuroimmunological response in the patient which aids the patient in combatting and recovering from the disease. Embodiments of the invention enhance the PNI response by providing more numerous and realistic sensory input in the form of, e.g., three-dimensional audio and high resolution volume rendering and animation.