Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed whereby a surface detection system is employed to obtain intraoperative surface data characterizing an exposed surface of the spine. In some embodiments, this intraoperative surface data is registered to segmented surface data obtained from volumetric data of the spine in order to assess the intraoperative orientation of the spine and provide feedback associated with the intraoperative orientation of the spine. The feedback may characterize the intraoperative spinal orientation as a change relative to the preoperative orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which an intraoperative video feed is augmented with one or more virtual display features based on a detected orientation and position of the tracked medical instrument. In some example embodiments, the virtual display features may be employed to represent, in an augmented video feed, information associated with a previously-detected intraoperative position and orientation of the tracked medical instrument. The virtual display element may be employed, for example, to facilitate the alignment of an untracked medical instrument with a previously determined intraoperative position and orientation of the tracked medical instrument. In other example embodiments, the virtual display element may be dynamically displayed in a fixed spatial relationship relative to the tracked medical instrument.

Abstract: Various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for performing image-guided navigation during medical procedures using intraoperative surface detection. A surface detection device is employed to obtain intraoperative surface data characterizing multiple surface regions of a subject. Pre-operative volumetric image data is registered to each surface region, providing per-surface-region registration transforms. In some example embodiments, navigation images may be generated intraoperatively based on the dynamic selection of a suitable registration transform. For example, a registration transform for generating navigation images may be dynamically determined based on the proximity of a tracked surgical tool relative to the surface regions. In an alternative example embodiment, multiple navigation images may be displayed, wherein each navigation image is generated using a different registration transform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for generating spatial annotations within guidance images that are displayed during a guided medical procedure, where the spatial annotations provide spatial graduations indicating known length measures. The spatial measures may be employed to visually assess the sizes of anatomical and/or functional features displayed in the guidance images.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the generation of partial surface models from volumetric datasets for subsequent registration of such partial surface models to surface topology datasets. Specifically, given an object that is imaged using surface topology imaging and another volumetric modality, the volumetric dataset is processed in combination with an approach viewpoint to generate one or more partial surfaces of the object that will be visible to the surface topology imaging system. This procedure can eliminate internal structures from the surfaces generated from volumetric datasets, thus increases the similarity of the dataset between the two different modalities, enabling improved and quicker registration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which intraoperatively acquired surface data is employed to verify the correspondence of an intraoperatively selected spinal level with a spinal level that is pre-selected based on volumetric image data. Segmented surface data corresponding to the pre-selected spinal levels may be obtained from the volumetric image data, such that the segmented surface data corresponds to a spinal segment that is expected to be exposed and identified intraoperatively during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing intraoperative fusion of two or more volumetric image datasets via surface-based image registration. The volumetric image datasets are separately registered with intraoperatively acquired surface data, thereby fusing the two volumetric image datasets into a common frame of reference while avoiding the need for complex and time-consuming preoperative volumetric-to-volumetric image registration and fusion. The resulting fused image data may be processed to generate one or more images for use during surgical navigation.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for tracking a position and orientation of a handheld implement, such that the handheld implement may be trackable with an overhead tracking system. A support member secures one or more markers relative to a longitudinal portion of the handheld implement, and a marker plane containing the markers is orientated an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal portion. A marker assembly may include a support member for supporting the markers, and a connector for removably attaching the marker assembly to one or more handheld implements. The marker assembly may be configured to be removably attachable to a plurality of connection adapters, where each connection adapter is further connectable to a handheld implement, optionally at a calibrated position, such that a single connection adapter can be optionally employed to track a plurality of handheld implements. The handheld implement may be a medical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optical topology detection and illumination. Embodiments provide an integrated system, and methods of operation thereof, where the integrated system includes an illumination system and an optical topology detection system, and where at least a portion of the spectral content of illumination light from the illumination system is within an optical detection bandwidth of the optical topology detection system, and where the operation of the optical topology detection system and the illumination system are interleaved to avoid crosstalk, such that the optical topology detection system detects the optical topology detection light when the illumination system is not emitting illumination light. The system may include, and control the operation of, an optical navigation system. The components of the system may be mounted to a rigid frame to maintain calibration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for generating spatial annotations within guidance images that are displayed during a guided medical procedure, where the spatial annotations provide spatial graduations indicating known length measures. The spatial measures may be employed to visually assess the sizes of anatomical and/or functional features displayed in the guidance images.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provide for facilitating registration and calibration of surface imaging systems. Tracking marker support structures are described that include one or more fiducial reference markers, where the tracking marker support structures are configured to be removably and securely attached to a skeletal region of a patient. Methods are provided in which a tracking marker support structure is attached to a skeletal region in a pre-selected orientation, thereby establishing an intraoperative reference direction associated with the intraoperative position of the patient, which is employed for guiding the initial registration between intraoperatively acquired surface data and volumetric image data. In other example embodiments, the tracking marker support structure may be employed for assessing the validity of a calibration transformation between a tracking system and a surface imaging system.