Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for using an intraoperative imaging system. The method includes acquiring an image using an intraoperative imaging system, labeling the image by associating the image with a label, and storing the image and the label.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical imaging unit is disclosed. The method may include accessing data from a plurality of sensors. The method may also include computing an optimal position for the medical imaging unit to acquire images of a point of interest. The computation may be based on data from plurality of sensors and information for calibrating the point of interest with at least one sensor. The method may also include computing instructions for manipulating the medical imaging unit from a first position to an optimal position. In an embodiment, the instructions may be displayed for a user to manually position the medical imaging unit. Alternatively, the instructions may be sent to an electric motor to position the medical imaging unit, or the electric motor may provide force feedback to guide a user to position the medical imaging unit in an optimal position.

Abstract: A hybrid tracking system utilizing at least one combined light emitting diode (LED) and magnetoresistance sensor. The hybrid tracking system includes optical tracking technology and electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology with at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor for processing signals from the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor includes at least one magnetoresistance sensor and at least one LED that are integrated into a single package.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a user based on a matched trajectory. Certain embodiments of a system provide a processor configured to determine a tool trajectory with respect to a region of interest. The processor compares the trajectory to one or more measured distances between implants stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement. The system also includes a display configured to display an image including the implants and the requested distance measurement to a user.

Abstract: A hybrid tracking system utilizing at least one combined light emitting diode (LED) and magnetoresistance sensor. The hybrid tracking system includes optical tracking technology and electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology with at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor for processing signals from the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor includes at least one magnetoresistance sensor and at least one LED that are integrated into a single package.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for positioning an electromagnetic tracking sensor. The method includes attaching a sensor to an anatomy, obtaining an image of the anatomy, indicating a size of each of a plurality of volumes on the image, where the volumes include a smaller and larger volume, and making a determination of whether a region of interest is encompassed by one or more of the volumes. The present invention also provides a system for positioning an electromagnetic tracking sensor. The system includes a sensor attached to a patient anatomy, an imaging modality obtaining an image of the anatomy, an image processor indicating a size of each of a plurality of volumes on the image, where the plurality of volumes includes a smaller and larger volume, and an operator making a determination of whether a region of interest is encompassed by one or more of the volumes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved calibration of an image acquisition device. Certain embodiments of the system include an image acquisition device for obtaining at least one image of an object and a calibration fixture positioned in relation to the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture includes a radiotranslucent material providing low frequency content for characterizing the image acquisition device. In an embodiment, the calibration fixture includes a plurality of peaks and valleys to create a low frequency signal for characterizing the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture may be positioned between the image acquisition device and an energy source such that a distance between the image acquisition device and the calibration fixture is minimized. In certain embodiments, a grating or other calibration fixture may be used to generate a moiré pattern to calibrate the image acquisition device.

Abstract: An image guided surgical system and method for correction of automated image registration via user interaction. The system and method comprising at least one imaging apparatus adapted to acquire a first image and a second image of a region of interest of a subject, a registration component adapted to perform a registration of the second image to a dataset of the first image, at least one display for displaying a visualization of the registration of the second image to a dataset of the first image as it is occurring, and a user interface for manipulating the visualization of the registration to correct any misalignments between the first image and the second image in the registration.

Abstract: A method for detecting EM field distorting includes sampling a sensor assembly positioned within a volume of interest to acquire measurements of EM fields within the volume of interest, and monitoring the measurements to detect EM field distortion within the volume of interest. The sensor assembly includes a set of EM transmitters and a set of EM receivers fixed thereon. A system for detecting EM field distorting includes a sensor assembly for positioning within a volume of interest, wherein the EM sensor assembly comprises a set of EM receivers, and a set of EM transmitters, wherein the EM receivers and the EM transmitters are disposed at fixed locations on the sensor assembly. The system further includes a tracker configured to sample the sensor assembly to acquire measurements of EM fields generated by the EM transmitters, and monitor the measurements to detect EM field distortion within the volume of interest.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for using an intraoperative imaging system. The method includes acquiring an image using an intraoperative imaging system, labeling the image by associating the image with a label, and storing the image and the label.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a surgical instrument and for conveying tracking information via a network provide a primary tracking image generally within an operating room, and also a variety of types of secondary tracking images, either outside of the operating room or within the operating room.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a user based on a matched trajectory. Certain embodiments of a system provide a processor configured to determine a tool trajectory with respect to a region of interest. The processor compares the trajectory to one or more measured distances between implants stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement. The system also includes a display configured to display an image including the implants and the requested distance measurement to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved surgical workflow development includes creating and editing a modifiable module used to direct a medical procedure through a sequence of images and functions included in the module. A plurality of users may review and/or evaluate the module to determine what, if any, edits to the module are required. Evaluations of the module may include a research evaluation, a cadaver evaluation or a clinical evaluation. A scripting tool may be used to create or edit the module, where the scripting tool includes a computer programming software application. The module may be stored on a computer-readable memory accessible by a plurality of computers and/or display devices connected to a network. In this way, the system and method provide for rapid dynamic development of surgical workflows contained in modules.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved calibration of an image acquisition device. Certain embodiments of the system include an image acquisition device for obtaining at least one image of an object and a calibration fixture positioned in relation to the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture includes a radiotranslucent material providing low frequency content for characterizing the image acquisition device. In an embodiment, the calibration fixture includes a plurality of peaks and valleys to create a low frequency signal for characterizing the image acquisition device. The calibration fixture may be positioned between the image acquisition device and an energy source such that a distance between the image acquisition device and the calibration fixture is minimized. In certain embodiments, a grating or other calibration fixture may be used to generate a moiré pattern to calibrate the image acquisition device.