Abstract: The position of an imaging device can be determined at least in part with a movement portion of the imaging device. The imaging device can be moved relative to the patient to obtain image data of the patient at different perspectives or angles. The image data obtained of the patient can be displayed with a display device at various perspectives and a tracked position of the instrument can be displayed at the appropriate perspective or a selected perspective relative to the image data with the display device based upon a known position of the imaging device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic navigation of a surgical probe near a metal object. The electromagnetic navigation system includes a transmitter coil array and a shield. The transmitter coil array has a plurality of transmitter coils and is operable to generate the electromagnetic field to navigate the probe. The shield is positioned adjacent the metal object and is operable to shield the metal object from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array, such that the shield substantially reduces distortion of the electromagnetic field by the metal object.

Abstract: Digital x-ray images taken before a surgical procedure by a fluoroscopic C-arm imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments being used in the operating room. The graphical representations are updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. A number of different techniques are described that aid the physician in planning and carrying out the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An image guided catheter navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of the patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the catheter in the region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representing the catheter onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the catheter. The display displays the image of the region with the catheter superimposed onto the image at the current location of the catheter.

Abstract: A method and system to assist in a planning and navigation of procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. The images may then be used to mark various points to determine true anatomical definitions and planes. The definitions may assist in positioning a prosthesis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing 2D to 3D registration includes an initialization step and a refinement step. The initialization step is directed to identifying an orientation and a position by knowing orientation information where data images are captured and by identifying centers of relevant bodies. The refinement step uses normalized mutual information and pattern intensity algorithms to register the 2D image to the 3D volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic navigation of a surgical probe near a metal object. The electromagnetic navigation system includes a transmitter coil array and a shield. The transmitter coil array has a plurality of transmitter coils and is operable to generate the electromagnetic field to navigate the probe. The shield is positioned adjacent the metal object and is operable to shield the metal object from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array, such that the shield substantially reduces distortion of the electromagnetic field by the metal object.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is disclosed that allows a surgeon to invert the three-dimensional perspective of the instrument to match their perspective of the actual instrument. A data processor is operable to generate a three-dimensional representation of a surgical instrument as it would visually appear from either of at least two different perspectives and to overlay the representation of the surgical instrument onto an image data of the patient. The image data and the representations can be displayed on a display.

Abstract: A method and system to assist in a selection and planning of procedure and assist in selecting a prosthetic for the procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. A model may be formed of the anatomy from the acquired images. The system may also allow for navigational tracking of the procedure to ensure that the procedure is substantially carried out relative to the selected plan.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and/or fiducial marker, sensor tipped instruments, and isolator circuits. The dynamic reference frame may be repeatably placed on the patient in a precise location for guiding the instruments. The instruments may be precisely guided by positioning sensors near moveable portions of the instruments. Electrical sources may be electrically isolated from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and/or fiducial marker, sensor tipped instruments, and isolator circuits. The dynamic reference frame may be repeatably placed on the patient in a precise location for guiding the instruments. The instruments may be precisely guided by positioning sensors near moveable portions of the instruments. Electrical sources may be electrically isolated from the patient.

Abstract: A stereotactic navigation system for navigating an instrument to a target within a patient may include a stereotactic head frame, an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller and a display. The stereotactic head frame is coupled to the patient and is used to assist in guiding the instrument to the target. The imaging device captures image data of the patient and of the stereotactic head frame. The tracking device is used to track the position of the instrument relative to the stereotactic head frame. The controller receives the image data from the imaging device and identifies the stereotactic head frame in the image data and automatically registers the image data with navigable patient space upon identifying the stereotactic head frame, while the display displays the image data.

Abstract: A system is provided to align a surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system. An instrument guide unit can include an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body near an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of a wireless catheter probe being used during a surgical procedure. Magnetic fields are projected into an anatomical body to induce voltage signals in a sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the position of a wireless sensor/transmitter. The voltage signals are wirelessly re-transmitted by the sensor/transmitter as positional signals indicative of a current location of the sensor/transmitter in the anatomical body. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless catheter probe is self-powered using the induced voltage signals on a sensing coil. In another embodiment, induced voltage signals of a separate coil are used to power the device.

Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position of one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the calibration of a tracked imaging probe for use in image-guided surgical systems. The invention uses actual image data collected from an easily constructed calibration jig to provide data for the calibration algorithm. The calibration algorithm analytically develops a geometric relationship between the probe and the image so objects appearing in the collected image can be accurately described with reference to the probe. The invention can be used with either two or three dimensional image data-sets. The invention also has the ability to automatically determine the image scale factor when two dimensional data-sets are used.

Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates a display representing the position of two or more body elements during the procedure based on a reference image data set generated by a scanner. The system produces a reference image of a body elements, discriminates the body elements in the images and creates an image data set representing the images of the body elements. The system produces a density image of the body element. The system modifies the image data set according to the density image of the body element during the procedure, generates a displaced image data set representing the position and geometry of the body element during the procedure, and compares the density image of the body element during the procedure to the reference image of the body element. The system also includes a display utilizing the displaced image data set generated by the processor to illustrate the position and geometry of the body element during the procedure.

Abstract: An integrated surgical anchor/localization sensor is disclosed. The anchor is adapted to be secured to an anatomical structure and contains a sensor housing. A receiver is located within the sensor housing and is adapted to sense reference signals generated by a surgical guidance system. A transmitter, connected to the receiver, conveys to a processor signals received by the receiver, so that the signals transmitted by the receiver are indicative of a current position of the anchor. Various other structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided that detects any change in relative position between the patient and the imaging device and corrects the image data for any motion that occurs. The medical imaging system includes: an imaging device for capturing two or more image data sets representative of a patient; a tracking subsystem for capturing patient position data that is indicative of the position of the patient and device position data that is indicative of the position of the imaging device; an image subtraction subsystem for performing a digital subtraction operation between at least two image data sets; and a motion correction subsystem configured to detect a change in the relative position between the patient and the imaging device and, upon detecting a change in the relative position, compensate in at least one of the first image data set and the second image data set for the change in relative position prior to performing the digital subtraction operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedures for percutaneous placement of surgical implants and instruments such as, for example, screws, rods, wires and plates into various body parts using image guided surgery. The invention includes an apparatus for use with a surgical navigation system, an attaching device rigidly connected to a body part, such as the spinous process of a vertebrae, with an identification superstructure rigidly but removably connected to the attaching device. This identification superstructure, for example, is a reference arc and fiducial array which accomplishes the function of identifying the location of the superstructure, and, therefore, the body part to which it is fixed, during imaging by CAT scan or MRI, and later during medical procedures.