Abstract: A system and method for shape sensing assistance in a medical procedure includes providing (402) a three-dimensional image of a distributed pathway system. A shape sensing enabled elongated device is introduced (406) into the pathway system. A shape of the elongated device in the pathway system is measured (410). The shape is compared (414) with the three-dimensional image to determine whether a given path has been selected relative to a target.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device employs one or more energy emitters (21) and one or more photoacoustic sensors (22) in a cooperative arrangement for applying a tissue ablation therapy to a tissue (60). In operation, the energy emitters (21) emit a tissue ablation beam (TA) into a target portion of the tissue (60) to form a lesion (61) therein, and alternatively or concurrently emit a photoexcitation beam (PE) into the target portion of the tissue (60) to excite a photoacoustic response from the tissue (60). The photoacoustic sensor(s) (22) sense the photoacoustic response of the tissue (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing information of an object.

Abstract: A medical instrument, system and method for calibration are provided. The instrument includes a body (202) and a shape sensing system (204) coupled to the body to permit determination of a shape of the body. A memory element (205, 206) is coupled to the body and configured to store data associated with calibration of the body, the data being readable through a cable (210) connectable to the body so that the data permits calibration of the body.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing system employing an optical fiber (20) and one or more reference markers (41). Each reference marker (41) has an identifiable reference tracking position within a reference coordinate system (42). The optical fiber (20) has a reconstruction launch point (21)within the reference coordinate system (42) serving as a basis for an execution of a shape reconstruction of the optical fiber (20) within the reference coordinate system (42). The reconstruction launch point (21)of the optical fiber (20) has a known spatial relationship with each reference marker (41) to facilitate an identification of the reconstruction launch point (21)within the reference coordinate system (42).

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 method includes analyzing a spectral projection image of a portion of a subject, generating a value quantifying an amount of a target specific contrast material in a region of interest of the spectral projection image, and generating a signal indicative of a presence of the target in response to the value satisfying a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: An integrated optical shape sensing system and method include an arrangement structure (132) configured to receive a fiber port or connector. A platform (130) is configured to provide a distance relationship with the arrangement structure such that the fiber port or connector is trackable to provide a location reference. The platform secures a patient in proximity to the arrangement structure. An optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102) has a first optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector. An optical interrogation module (108) is configured to collect optical feedback from the instrument and has a second optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector such that a known reference position is provided for accurate shape reconstruction.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing system employing an elongated device (20), an optical fiber (10) embedded within the elongated device (20) with the optical fiber (10) including one or more cores, an optical interrogation console (30) and a 3D shape reconstructor (40). In operation, the optical interrogation console (30) generates reflection spectrum data indicative of a measurement of both an amplitude and a phase of a reflection for each core of the optical fiber (10) as a function of wavelength and the 3D shape reconstructor (40) reconstructs a 3D shape of the optical fiber (10). The 3D shape reconstructor (40) executes a generation of local strain data for a plurality of positions along the optical fiber (10) responsive to the reflection spectrum data, a generation of local curvature and torsion angle data as a function of each local strain along the fiber, and a reconstruction of the 3D shape of the optical fiber (10) as a function of each local curvature and torsion angle along the optical fiber (10).

Abstract: A shape sensing device, system and method include an interventional instrument (102) having regions of articulation to be configured to change shape during an interventional procedure. An optical fiber (202) is disposed on or about the areas of articulation in a pattern to provide an optical signal indicating an instantaneous change or current position or orientation of the instrument. A signal interpretation module (115) is configured to receive the optical signals and interpret the instantaneous change or cur rent position or orientation of the instrument.

Abstract: A medical device calibration apparatus, system and method include a calibration template (202) configured to position an optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102). A set geometric configuration (206) is formed in or on the template to maintain the instrument in a set geometric configuration within an environment where the instrument is to be deployed. When the instrument is placed in the set geometric configuration, the instrument is calibrated for a medical procedure.

Abstract: An optical detection tool employs a surgical end-effector (30) and an optical fiber (20). In operation, the surgical end-effector (30) is navigated within an anatomical region relative to an object foreign to the anatomical region and the optical fiber (20) generates an encoded optical signal indicative of a strain measurement profile of the optical fiber (20) as the surgical end-effector (30) is navigated within the anatomical region. The optical fiber (20) has a detection segment in a defined spatial relationship with the surgical end-effector (30). The strain measurement profile represents a normal profile in the absence of any measurable contact of the foreign object with the detection segment of the optical fiber (20). Conversely, the strain measurement profile represents an abnormal profile in response to a measurable contact of the foreign object with the detection segment of the optical fiber (20).

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).

Abstract: An image-guided system employs an X-ray imaging device (20) for generating one or more X-ray images (25, 26) illustrating a tool (41) within an anatomical region (40) and an ultrasound imaging device (30) for generating an ultrasound image (33) illustrating the tool (41) within the anatomical region (40). The image-guided system further employs a tool tracking device (50) for visually tracking the tool (41) within the anatomical region (40). In operation, the tool tracking device (50) localizes a portion of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33) responsive to an identification of the portion of the tool (41) as located within the X-ray image(s) (25, 26), and executes an image segmentation of an entirety of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33) relative to a localization of the portion of the tool (41) as located within the ultrasound image (33).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

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 mapping interluminal structures includes an elongated flexible instrument (102). An optical shape sensing device (152, 154) is disposed within the flexible instrument and is configured to determine a shape of the flexible instrument relative to a reference. The shape sensing device is configured to collect information based on its configuration to map an interluminal structure during a procedure. An imaging enabled ablation device (117) is mounted at or near a distal end portion of the flexible instrument.

Abstract: A method for identifying a structure in a volume of interest is provided. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of points related to the structure in a continuous mode, and subsequently registering at least one of the points to a previously acquired imaging dataset of the structure. An apparatus, system and a computer-readable medium are also provided. The present invention provides faster acquisition of EAM points by modifying the mapping system so that catheter tip locations are automatically and continuously recorded without requiring explicit navigation to and annotation of fiducial landmarks on the endocardium.

Abstract: System and method for enabling intra-operative selection of an image registration transformation for use in displaying a first image dataset and a second image dataset in correspondence with one another. Image dataset acquisition devices (12, 14) obtain the first and second image datasets. A similarity function indicative of a likelihood that the first and second image datasets are in correspondence with one another is computed by a processor (16) and then a ranking of each of a plurality of local maxima of the similarity function is determined. Registration transformations derived from a plurality of the local maxima are displayed on a display (18), and using a user-interface (22), a physician can select each registration transformation to ascertain visually whether it is the clinically-optimal registration transformation for subsequent use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of a moving portion (22) of a body (10) of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1). For the purpose of enabling improved interventional MR imaging with motion compensation, the invention proposes that the method comprises the steps of: a) collecting tracking data from an interventional instrument (19) introduced into the portion (22) of the body (10), b) subjecting the portion (22) of the body (10) to an imaging sequence for acquiring one or more MR signals therefrom, wherein parameters of the imaging sequence are adjusted on the basis of the tracking data, c) acquiring a MR signal data set by repeating steps a) and b) several times, d) reconstructing one or more MR images from the MR signal data set.