Abstract: A modular system for organic sample analysis is disclosed which includes a sample stage including a support platform and a motorized positioning mechanism mounted on the support platform, and a sample holder mounted on the motorized positioning mechanism upon which a sample is placed. A probe support rack is mounted on the support platform and two or more bio-imaging probes mounted on the probe support and arranged in a pre-defined geometry with respect to each other, and at least one bio-imaging probe has a field of view independent of all other bio-imaging probes. The system includes a computer controller connected to the motorized positioning mechanism and the two or more bio-imaging probes. The computer is programmed for controlling motorized positioning mechanism to move the sample holder having the sample located thereon to positions in the field of view of each bio-imaging probe where the sample can be analyzed individually by each of the bio-imaging probes.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring an image at a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Accordingly, an analog signal based on a pulse sequence and a first gain is obtained. The analog signal is converted into a digitized signal. A potential quantization error is detected in the digitized signal based on a boundary. When the detection is affirmative, a replacement analog signal based on the pulse sequence is received. At least one portion of the replacement analog signal can be based on an adjusted gain. The adjusted gain is a factor of the first gain. The replacement analog signal is digitized into a replacement digitized signal. At least one portion of the replacement digitized signal corresponding to the at least one portion of the replacement analog signal is adjusted based on a reversal of the factor.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The system includes a solenoid magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field and an annular coil assembly housed within at least a portion of the solenoid magnet. The coil assembly includes a gradient coil, wherein the annular coil assembly has an aperture formed therein.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a system that includes: a housing having a bore in which a subject to be image is placed; a main magnet configured to generate a volume of magnetic field within the bore, the volume of magnetic field having inhomogeneity below a defined threshold; one or more gradient coils configured to linearly vary the volume of magnetic field as a function of spatial location; one or more pulse generating coils configured to generate and apply radio frequency (RF) pulses to the volume of magnetic field in sequence to scan the portion of the subject; one or more shim gradient coils configured to perturb a spatial distribution of the linearly varying volume of magnetic field; and a control unit configured to operate the gradient coils, pulse generating coils, and shim gradient coils such that only the user-defined region within the volume of magnetic field is imaged.

Abstract: A cerebrospinal diffusion phantom including a housing having a shape and size configured for insertion into a magnetic resonance coil in one or more preselected poses. A scaffold support structure is mounted on an interior of said housing and a plurality of elongated diffusion mimicking members supported on the support array. The elongated diffusion mimicking members are affixed to the scaffold support structure such that elongated diffusion mimicking members extend in directions needed to substantially emulate a 3 dimensional arrangement of cerebrospinal diffusion fiber tracts in a living organism; modules for elimination of resolution based-bias, angular accuracy evaluation, diffusion rate calibration, and quality assurance image referencing. Each elongated diffusion mimicking member includes an aqueous component which can undergo diffusion along the elongated diffusion mimicking member.

Abstract: An end effector is provided for connecting to a positioning arm of a positioning device of a medical navigation system. The end effector comprises a mating component for connecting to an output flange of the positioning arm, a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the mating component, the handle portion including a cable cut-out at the first end, and a camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system for use in a medical procedure. The surgical microscope system is controlled in a first mode of operation corresponding to a phase of the medical procedure and defining at least one setting for adjusting a set of adjustable optics. While in the first mode of operation, the surgical microscope system automatically determines, from a captured image, an indication that a second mode of operation is relevant. The mode of operation is switched to the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing treatment planning information for a neurology procedure, including neurosurgical procedures. A database containing historical data about historical procedures is accessed. Historical data relevant to a neurology procedure is determined, based on a determination of similarity to a set of data characterizing the neurology procedure. Historical instances of procedure parameters relevant to the neurology procedure are determined and displayed.

Abstract: A method and system to use an augmented reality device in a surgical procedure. The method includes rendering, on the display of the device, a model of a patient reference object; in response to receiving input, moving the model of the patient reference object in an augmented reality coordinate system; determining that the model is aligned with the patient reference object in real world space when viewed through the display and, based on that determination, identifying a first transform from the augmented reality coordinate system to a navigation coordinate system used by an optical navigation system for tracking the patient reference object; subsequently transferring patient image data from the navigation coordinate system to the augmented reality coordinate system using an inverse of the first transform; and displaying the patient image data on the display to augment a real world view of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are simulated fibrous tissue models of anatomical parts for surgical training. The non-dissolvable simulated fibrous tissue model is made of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and fibrous material composite to simulate realistic tissue properties and behaviors. The simulated fibrous tissue model may be a standalone model of an anatomical part or may be used in a complementary anatomical simulation kit to provide a more comprehensive training approach.

Abstract: A phantom to determine navigational error in a surgical navigation system that tracks the location of an elongate tool having a tip and a shaft based on a plurality of fiducials attached to the elongate tool. The phantom includes a base portion that models a lower portion of a mammalian head and having a top surface with a plurality of touch points, each of the touch points being a respective indentation, and a frame detachably securable to the base portion and having an upper portion spaced apart from the top surface, the upper portion having defined therein a plurality of apertures. A tip of the elongate tool is to be inserted through said one of the apertures and in one of the touch points, and the surgical navigation system determines positional and angular error.

Abstract: A anatomical phantom is disclosed containing a pathological abnormality having fluorescing properties to simulate fluorescence training and/or the simulation of medical procedures, such as fluorescence-based methods for intraoperative visualization and image-guidance. The phantom is made of materials that mimic anatomical biomechanical properties and wherein the pathological abnormality contains fluorescing properties to fluoresce in responsive to UV light excitation. The phantom may be a standalone model or may be used in a complementary simulation kit to provide a more comprehensive training approach.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which local tissue diagnostic measurements are correlated with archival local tissue diagnostic data from prior tissue analyses to supplement diagnostic measurements with tissue analysis data from prior tissue analyses having similar local tissue diagnostic data. The tissue analysis data may include information such as pathology data, outcome data, and diagnosis data. The archived local tissue diagnostic data and the tissue analysis data may be stored in a database, and employed for a wide variety of methods, involving preoperative, intraoperative, and/or postoperative phases of a medical procedure. Methods and systems are also provided for displaying, on a medical image shown in a user interface, hyperlinked reference markers associated with tissue analyses, where the reference markers are shown at locations corresponding to local tissue analyses, and where associated diagnostic data and/or tissue analysis may be viewed by selecting a given reference marker.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electromagnet coils for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The method comprises forming a coil representation of a coil surface for the electromagnet coils; setting a plurality of performance metric requirements for a plurality of performance metrics for the electromagnet coils, the plurality of performance metrics including a magnetic field-shape metric and an eddy-field metric; forming a performance functional, based on the coil representation and the plurality of performance metrics, for generating a current density pattern over the coil surface; optimizing the performance functional based on the plurality of performance metric requirements; generating a current density pattern over the coil surface based on the minimized performance functional; and obtaining coil windings from the current density pattern.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided including a surgical positioning system for positioning a payload during a medical procedure. The medical navigation system has a robotic arm having a plurality of joints, the robotic arm forming part of the surgical positioning system and having an end effector for holding the payload, an input device for providing input, and a controller electrically coupled to the robotic arm and the input device.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a method that includes: placing a human subject on a moveable platform located in a room with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and a radiation therapy machine; moving the platform into a first position such that the human subject is positioned to be imaged by MRI; operating the MRI scanner while the platform is in the first position to obtain an image of the human subject; moving the platform into a second position such that the human subject is in position to receive radiation therapy from the radiation therapy machine; reducing the magnetic field such that the magnetic field at the radiation therapy machine is below a threshold value; and while the platform is in the second position and the magnetic field at the radiation therapy machine is below the threshold value, operating the radiation therapy machine to perform radiation therapy on the human subject.

Abstract: A method for preparing thin layers from liquid samples is disclosed. Such thin layers can be useful when analyzing samples with probes whose penetration length in these samples is short The method consists of squeezing a certain amount of a liquid sample between two approximately flat and parallel surfaces separated by a small distance then cooling down the liquid sample until it freezes in a way that the frozen sample adheres only to one of these two flat surfaces. Removing the non-adhered flat surface leaves the frozen sample layer with the thickness approximately equal to the initial distance between the two parallel surfaces.

Abstract: A method of data acquisition at a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system receives at least a portion of raw data for an image, and detects anomalies in the portion of raw data received. When anomalies are detected, the system can correct those anomalies dynamically, without waiting for a new scan to be ordered. The system can attempt to scan the offending portion of the raw data, either upon detection of the anomaly or at some point during the scan. The system can also correct anomalies using digital correction methods based on expected values. The anomalies can be detected based on variations from thresholds, masks and expected values all of which can be obtained using one of the ongoing scan, previously performed scans and apriori information relating to the type of scan being performed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing feedback to guide selection of an artificial bone flap. A user interface for planning a neurosurgical procedure is provided, the neurosurgical procedure including closing of an opening in a portion of a patient's skull using an artificial bone flap. 3D dimensions of the opening are determined using at least pre-operative three-dimensional (3D) imaging data. One or more parameters for selecting an artificial bone flap are determined, where the one or more parameters are based on at least the 3D dimensions of the opening. Output indicating one or more recommended available artificial bone flaps suitable for closing the opening is provided, the recommendation being based on the determined one or more parameters.