Abstract: An automatic protocolling system and methods involving a processor operable by way of a set of executable instructions storable in relation to a nontransient memory device, the set of executable instructions configuring the processor to: receive information relating to an initial protocol comprising an initial ordering of a plurality of sequences, the information comprising data relating to an interaction extent value of at least one of an imaging system and a patient as a function of time corresponding to each sequence in the plurality of sequences, the data relating to a time-integrated effect of each sequence in the plurality of sequences; and dynamically determine an alternative protocol comprising an alternative ordering of the plurality of sequences based on the time-integrated effect, whereby an alternative protocol is provided.

Abstract: A coil apparatus and methods for magnetic resonance imaging involving a wire winding, the wire winding having at least one of: a hollow cross-section wire and a solid cross-section wire, the solid cross-section wire having at least one of: a solid small cross-section wire and a solid large cross-section wire, the solid large cross-section wire having a thickness greater than that of the solid small cross-section wire, and the solid small cross-section wire disposed in one of adjacent and proximate at least one of the hollow cross-section wire and the solid large cross-section wire, whereby at least one of current density, winding density, and heat extraction are increasable.

Abstract: A sensored surgical tool, surgical intraoperative tracking and imaging system incorporating same, and methods, involving a rigid elongate tool body having a substantially rigid tool tip to be displaced and tracked within the surgical cavity so to reproducibly locate the tool tip within the cavity. The tool has one or more tool tip cameras and/or pressure sensors operatively disposed along the body at or proximal to the tool tip.

Abstract: An asymmetric electromagnet system, method, and method of producing an asymmetric electromagnet system, wherein the asymmetric electromagnet system is for generating an imaging magnetic field in an imaging region with an imaging isocentre, the imaging region being asymmetrically positioned within a gradient coil bore inside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system during imaging, the electromagnet assembly comprising: an asymmetric gradient coil configured to generate a gradient field in the asymmetrically positioned imaging region, at least one gradient axis having the gradient field with a constant offset component such that the position at which the gradient field passes through zero is offset with respect to the imaging isocentre of the asymmetrically positioned imaging region.

Abstract: A method, electromagnet device, and system for reducing a higher order term of a concomitant field in an imaging magnetic field during magnetic resonance imaging is described. The electromagnet system has a first shim coil configured to be driven to generate a first compensation magnetic field during imaging according to a first second-order compensation term, the first compensation magnetic field having a similar amplitude but opposite direction as that of a first second-order concomitant magnetic field.

Abstract: An MRI-CT system and methods for sequentially (or simultaneously) imaging a subject involving a CT component for initially performing CT imaging, an MR component for subsequently performing MR imaging, the MR component and the CT component disposable in relation to one another in at least one of linearly aligned and colinearly aligned, and a movable barrier disposable between the CT component and the MR component, the movable barrier comprising a magnetic shield, and the movable barrier disposable in one of an open position and a closed position during MRI scanning by the MR component and in a closed position during CT scanning by the CT component.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods involving a videoscope including cameras; a filter feature in optical communication with the cameras, the filter feature configured to independently filter or tandemly filter light from each camera; an independently adjustable aperture in optical communication with the filter feature, the independently adjustable aperture configured to limit transmission of filtered light; independently adjustable zoom features in optical communication with the independently adjustable aperture, the independently adjustable zoom features including corresponding independently adjustable zoom channels, and each independently adjustable zoom feature configured to independently zoom independently limited filtered light; a prism in optical communication with the independently adjustable zoom channels, the prism configured to redirect independently zoomed, independently limited, filtered light; and a shared focus feature in optical communication with the prism, the shared focus feature comprising a share

Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that includes: accessing data indicating a first region for imaging a portion of a subject, the portion being placed in a main magnet of the MRI system and the main magnet generating a magnetic field; selecting, from a group of available shimming coils, a first subset of shimming coils arranged and configured such that, when the shimming coils in the first subset are driven, a homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region is increased; and driving the shimming coils in the selected first subset of shimming coils without driving other shimming coils in the group of available shimming coils such that the homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region increases relative to the homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region when the shimming coils of the selected first subset are not driven.

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: A dressing apparatus and methods for facilitating healing, the apparatus and methods involving a dressing member, an electromagnetically conductive element mechanically coupled with the dressing member, and a primary RFID device configured to transmit at least one output signal to the electromagnetically conductive element, to receive at least one return signal from the electromagnetically conductive element, and to provide an alert if the at least one return signal has a strength corresponding to at least approximately a threshold amount of fluid present in the dressing member, whereby healing is facilitated.

Abstract: A computing device and methods for tracking surgical imaging devices stores a preoperative image of patient tissue registered to a frame of reference of a tracking system; and receives, from a first imaging device, a first intraoperative image of a first region of the tissue, with a finer resolution than the preoperative image. The computing device receives a position of the first imaging device from the tracking system, and registers the first intraoperative image with the frame of reference. The computing device receives, from a second imaging device, a second intraoperative image of a second region of the patient tissue, with a finer resolution than the first intraoperative image. The computing device registers the second intraoperative image to the first intraoperative image; and controls a display to present the preoperative image overlaid with the first intraoperative image, and the first intraoperative image overlaid with the second intraoperative image.

Abstract: A smart system and methods for coupling a medical transporter apparatus with an imaging apparatus, involving: a smart docking module comprising at least one coupler responsive to a controller operable by a set of executable instructions, the smart docking module comprising a non-magnetic material; and the smart docking module configured by the controller to automatically perform at least one of: position, dock, engage, latch, lock, interlock, release, emergency-release, quick-release, disengage, emergency-disengage, and quick-disengage the medical transporter apparatus in relation to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for adaptively and intraoperatively configuring an automated arm used during a medical procedure. The automated arm is configured to position and orient an end effector on the automated arm a desired distance and orientation from a target. The end effector may be an external video scope and the target may be a surgical port. The positions and orientations of the end effector and the target may be continuously updated. The position of the arm may be moved to new locations responsive to user commands. The automated arm may include a multi-joint arm attached to a weighted frame. The weighted frame may include a tower and a supporting beam.

Abstract: A 3D navigation system and methods for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, involving: an optical imaging system having an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics and movable focus optics, a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics, a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input, at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of a target and an obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly, and a proprioception feature operable with the optical imaging system for generating a 3D perception, the proprioception feature comprising a communication feature for providing 3D information, the 3D information comprising real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information within an interrogation volume.

Abstract: Multichannel optical coherence systems are disclosed in which optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystems are operably and respectively connected to optical fibers of a multichannel optical probe, such that each optical fiber forms at least a distal portion of a sample beam path of a respective OCT subsystem. The optical fibers are in optical communication with distal optical elements such that external beam paths associated therewith are directed towards a common spatial region external to the housing. Image processing computer hardware is employed to process OCT signals obtained from the plurality of OCT subsystems to generate an OCT image dataset comprising a plurality of OCT A-scans and process the OCT image dataset to generate volumetric image data based on known positions and orientations of the external beam paths associated with the OCT subsystems.

Abstract: A method for updating a patient registration during a medical procedure is disclosed. The medical procedure uses an optical navigation system for optically tracking a patient reference object in a real-world space. The method includes: acquiring a first set of image data depicting a region of interest on the patient while a first patient registration is intact; detecting that the first patient registration has been lost; obtaining a second set of image data depicting the region of interest; and applying a transform to data points of the first region to obtain data points for an updated patient registration, the transform obtained based on the first and second sets of image data.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a sensored surgical tool, and surgical intraoperative tracking and imaging system incorporating same. In one embodiment, the surgical tool comprises a rigid elongate tool body having a substantially rigid tool tip to be displaced and tracked within the surgical cavity so to reproducibly locate the tool tip within the cavity. The tool further comprises one or more tool tip cameras and/or pressure sensors operatively disposed along the body at or proximal to the tool tip.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for a trackable suction tool for surgical use. The suction tool provides multiple configurations for the tip and reference tree, while allowing tracking by a navigation system. The tip and reference tree are attached to the suction tool handle by a snap fit, a threaded ring with key and slot connections or semi-Allen key connections, providing specific rotational configurations of the tip, handle and reference tree with each other. The handle may include a rotatable outer sleeve with a tear-shaped orifice for suction regulation and an inner sleeve with a corresponding opening, allowing variable placement of the tear-shaped orifice relative to the longitudinal axis of the suction tool. The features of the device allow a suction tool with multiple configurations to be trackable with a navigation system.

Abstract: A computing device for tracking surgical imaging devices stores a preoperative image of patient tissue registered to a frame of reference of a tracking system; and receives, from a first imaging device, a first intraoperative image of a first region of the tissue, with a finer resolution than the preoperative image. The computing device receives a position of the first imaging device from the tracking system, and registers the first intraoperative image with the frame of reference. The computing device receives, from a second imaging device, a second intraoperative image of a second region of the patient tissue, with a finer resolution than the first intraoperative image. The computing device registers the second intraoperative image to the first intraoperative image; and controls a display to present the preoperative image overlaid with the first intraoperative image, and the first intraoperative image overlaid with the second intraoperative image.

Abstract: A method and device for tracking objects by surgical navigation systems. The method includes: capturing an image of the tracked object; determining whether a unique identifiable feature associated with at least one totem pattern is discernible in the image; when the unique identifiable feature is discernible: determining a position or an orientation of the tracked object based on the at least one totem pattern; and registering the at least one totem pattern in the surgical coordinate space; and when the unique identifiable feature is indiscernible: determining a position of each totem pattern relative to other totem patterns such that a combination of totem patterns within the captured image is a marker group detectable as a composite totem pattern; determining a position or an orientation of the tracked object based on the composite totem pattern associated with the tracked object; and registering the composite totem pattern in the surgical coordinate space.