Abstract: An optical guidewire system employs an optical guidewire (10), an optical guidewire controller (12), a guide interface (13) and an optical connector (15). The optical guidewire (10) is for advancing a catheter (20) to a target region relative to a distal end of the optical guidewire (10), wherein the optical guidewire (10) includes one or more guidewire fiber cores (11) for generating an encoded optical signal (16) indicative of a shape of the optical guidewire (10). The optical guidewire controller (12) is responsive to the encoded optical signal (16) for reconstructing the shape of the optical guidewire (10). The guidewire interface (13) includes one or more interface fiber core(s) (14) optically coupled to the optical guidewire controller (12). The optical connector (15) facilitates a connection, disconnection and reconnection of the optical guidewire (10) to the guidewire interface (13) that enables a backloading the catheter (20) on the optical guidewire (10).

Abstract: A system and method for accounting for motion of a target in a medical procedure includes an endoscope (302) including a tracking mechanism (304) for tracking positions and orientations of the endoscope. Memory storage (310) is configured to record the positions of the endoscope when positioned at or near moving target tissue. A motion sensor (312) is configured to track cyclical motion of an organ such that the cyclical motion of the organ can be correlated to the recorded positions of the endoscope and the target tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A system and methods for adaptive placement of a treatment element include a placement device (134), and a localization system (120) configured to track progress of the placement device such that a position of a treatment element (146, 132) placed by or to be placed by the placement device is stored in memory. A computer system (142) includes a program (104) implemented in computer readable storage media and configured to compute an effect of the treatment element at the position and determine whether a dosage amount has been achieved by the treatment element for treatment of an organ.

Abstract: An optical guidewire system employs an optical guidewire (10), an optical guidewire controller (12), a guide interface (13) and an optical connector (15). The optical guidewire (10) is for advancing a catheter (20) to a target region relative to a distal end of the optical guidewire (10), wherein the optical guidewire (10) includes one or more guidewire fiber cores (11) for generating an encoded optical signal (16) indicative of a shape of the optical guidewire (10). The optical guidewire controller (12) is responsive to the encoded optical signal (16) for reconstructing the shape of the optical guidewire (10). The guidewire interface (13) includes one or more interface fiber core(s) (14) optically coupled to the optical guidewire controller (12). The optical connector (15) facilitates a connection, disconnection and reconnection of the optical guidewire (10) to the guidewire interface (13) that enables a backloading the catheter (20) on the optical guidewire (10).

Abstract: An optical guidewire system employs an optical guidewire (10), an optical guidewire controller (12), a guide interface (13) and an optical connector (15). The optical guidewire (10) is for advancing a catheter (20) to a target region relative to a distal end of the optical guidewire (10), wherein the optical guidewire (10) includes one or more guidewire fiber cores (11) for generating an encoded optical signal (16) indicative of a shape of the optical guidewire (10). The optical guidewire controller (12) is responsive to the encoded optical signal (16) for reconstructing the shape of the optical guidewire (10). The guidewire interface (13) includes one or more interface fiber core(s) (14) optically coupled to the optical guidewire controller (12). The optical connector (15) facilitates a connection, disconnection and reconnection of the optical guidewire (10) to the guidewire interface (13) that enables a backloading the catheter (20) on the optical guidewire (10).

Abstract: A brachytherapy method and apparatus include implanting an applicator having at least one radiation source or seed receiving channel (62) into soft tissue adjacent a target region (40) to be irradiated. A high resolution planning image (64) of the target region including the applicator is generated, wherein the high resolution planning image is used for determining a three-dimensional treatment plan (66). A position of the applicator is tracked relative to the target region (40) and the treatment plan (66). Tracking the position includes measuring, via shape-sensing, a location and shape of the at least one radiation source or seed receiving channel (62).

Abstract: A system for interventional brachytherapy for generating data to be used directly for therapy and/or for therapy planning includes a radiation source which irradiates tissue of a patient and one or more radiation detectors which detect radiation delivered to the patient and generate radiation dosage data indicative thereof. One or more position sensors determine the position of the radiation source and a localization unit, in communication with the one or more position sensors, generates position data indicative of the position of the radiation source. An image database stores one or more anatomical images of the patient. A dose calculation unit which co-registers the one or more anatomical images with the positional and radiation dosage data and generates dose monitoring data based on the co-registration.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer is configured for one-way only beamforming of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for accounting for motion of a target in a medical procedure includes an endoscope (302) including a tracking mechanism (304) for tracking positions and orientations of the endoscope. Memory storage (310) is configured to record the positions of the endoscope when positioned at or near moving target tissue. A motion sensor (312) is configured to track cyclical motion of an organ such that the cyclical motion of the organ can be correlated to the recorded positions of the endoscope and the target tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for accounting for motion of a target in a medical procedure includes an endoscope (302) including a tracking mechanism (304) for tracking positions and orientations of the endoscope. Memory storage (310) is configured to record the positions of the endoscope when positioned at or near moving target tissue. A motion sensor (312) is configured to track cyclical motion of an organ such that the cyclical motion of the organ can be correlated to the recorded positions of the endoscope and the target tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer (212) is configured for one-way only beamforming (112) of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer is configured for one-way only beamforming of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer (212) is configured for one-way only beamforming (112) of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer is configured for one-way only beamforming of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for registering three-dimensional images with two-dimensional intra-operative images includes segmenting (24) a tubular structured organ in a three-dimensional image of the organ, and projecting (26) the three-dimensional image of the organ into two-dimensional space to provide a projected image. A medical instrument depicted in a two-dimensional image of the medical instrument is segmented (28). A similarity score is computed between the projected image and a shape of the medical instrument depicted in the two-dimensional image to determine a best match. The projected image is registered (30) to the two-dimensional image based on the best match.

Abstract: A brachytherapy system for a target region includes an applicator having a plurality of channels that are hollow, where the applicator is implanted in the target region. The system further includes a tracking device, a tracking signal generator to generate a signal received by the tracking device, and a processor. The tracking device has a size and shape to be advanced and retracted through at least a portion of the plurality of channels. The processor can determine a position of one or more of the plurality of channels based on a movement of the tracking device. The processor can further determine the location of the plurality of channels in the images based on the position measurements from the tracking device.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory by a localizer and registration unit which determines a baseline transform which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform. An image adjustment processor or program (operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform and the motion correction transform, to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display.

Abstract: A telescopic endoscope employing a primary endoscope (30, 50) having a instrument channel, a miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) deployed within the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50), and an endoscope tracker including one or more sensors (32, 61) and one or markers (41, 52) for sensing any portion of the miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) extending from a distal end of the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50).

Abstract: A deployment device (30) for interfacing an implantable device (20) with an anatomical structure (10) employs a sheath (31), a shape sensor (32) and a detachment tool (33). The sheath (31) includes a deployment section (31a) for deploying the implantable device (20) to an interface position relative to the anatomical structure (10), and an implantable section (31b) for coupling the deployment section (31a) to the implantable device (20). The shape sensor (32) guides the implantable device (20) to the interface position and includes a deployment segment (32a) extending partially or completely through the deployment section (31a), and an implantable segment (32b) attached to the deployment segment (32a) and extending partially or completely through the implantable section (31b) of the sheath (31).