Abstract: Presented are systems and methods that allow for interpolation of a 3-D volume from arbitrarily oriented 2-D medical images. The interpolation of 3-D volume from arbitrarily oriented 2-D images reduces or eliminates most constraints on image acquisition thereby allowing for, inter alia, freehand manipulation of an image acquisition device (e.g. an ultrasound transducer). Related utilities involve the use of prior information about a specific object of interest to interpolate a surface (e.g., 3-D surface) of the object from limited information obtained from very few 2-D images.

Abstract: A system and method (i.e, utility) are disclosed for positioning a needle in three-dimensions based on patient related statistics for extracting tissue during biopsy procedures. Aspects of the utility can be applied independently or serve as an aid to the urologist when regions of interest are hard to discern in an ultrasound image. Regions of interest that correspond to high cancer risk regions (e.g., statistically) are automatically superimposed on an ultrasound image of a patient in real time. Additionally a statistical map based on one or more demographic parameters of a patient and containing cancer probability locations are also automatically mapped on the ultrasound image in real time displaying potential cancer locations. Aspects of the system are also capable of displaying optimal needle placement positions based on statistical priors and will be able to accurately navigate the needle to that position for biopsy extraction and/or treatment.

Abstract: Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary arterial diseases such as arterial stenosis. However, the application of DSA for the assessment of stenosis severity is limited by the high intraobserver and interobserver variabilities associated with the visual assessment of stenosis severity from a cineangiogram (e.g., a sequential series of images after injection of a contrast media). The advent of Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) has significantly reduced this limitation.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for mounting variously configured medical imaging probes to a tracker assembly for imaging applications. In one aspect, a tracker assembly provides multiple degrees of freedom for positioning a probe relative to a patient and/or maintaining a probe in a desired location for imaging purposes. The tracker generates location information that may be utilized as frame of reference information for acquired images. In another aspect a holding device allows for interfacing/holding differently configured probes in a common orientation to a predetermined frame of reference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a graphics processing unit (GPU) are disclosed for three-dimensional (3D) imaging and continuously updating organ shape and internal points for guiding targets during motion. It is suitable for image-guided surgery or operations because the speed of guidance is achieved close to video rate. The system incorporates different methods of rigid and non-rigid registration using the parallelism of GPU processing that allows continuous updates in substantially real-time.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for position sensing of a medical tracker device are presented. The apparatus and method are designed to constrain, rotate, and track the position of a medical tool. o improve the position sensing of the tracker, a joint that provides two degrees of freedom may use a revolute gear pair together with a rotary sensor for angular motion sensing and a sliding/prismatic assembly together with a linear magnetic sensor for linear position sensing. Thus, the linear motion sensing and the angular motion sensing are decoupled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing software guided prostate biopsy to extract cancerous tissue. The method significantly improves on the current system by accelerating all computations using a graphical processing unit (GPU) keeping the accuracy of biopsy target locations within tolerance. The result is the computation of target locations to guide biopsy using statistical priors of cancers from a large population, as well as based on previous biopsy locations for the same patient, and finally via mapping protocols with predefined needle configurations onto the patient's current ultrasound image.

Abstract: An improved system and method (i.e. utility) for registration of medical images is provided. The utility registers a previously obtained volume onto an ultrasound volume during an ultrasound procedure to produce a multimodal image. The multimodal image may be used to guide a medical procedure, In one arrangement, the multimodal image includes MRI and/or MRSI information presented in the framework of a TRUS image during a TRUS procedure.