Abstract: A medical tracking system includes a percutaneous needle, a localization element and a navigation system is disclosed. The percutaneous needle has an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end portion, which is attached to a handle, and distal end portion that terminates at a distal tip. An inner surface of the elongate shaft defines a working channel that extends from a port at the proximal end portion to the distal tip. The localization element is incorporated into the elongate shaft distal from the handle and proximate the distal end portion. The navigation system is configured for tracking the localization element and to provide a real-time display of a position and orientation of the distal tip relative to an anatomy of a patient.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. A linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) device is positioned adjacent the targeted tissue and is used to guide a percutaneously inserted cryoprobe into the targeted tissue. The EBUS device is partially rotated in order to create multiple image slices that are combined together. To overcome the acoustic shadow created by the ice ball, a 3D model is created of the ice ball based on the locations identified on visible portion of the ice ball's peripheral surface. These locations are mirrored across an axis defined for the cryoprobe to define an approximate location for the hidden, non-visible periphery. This model is then displayed along with the location of the targeted tissue and an indication of the killing zone of the ice ball defined by a selected isotherm.

Abstract: An apparatus and its method of use in folding a ultrasound transducer assembly, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base which define two pivot channels therethrough, of which each support an axle. A folding platform has a first portion pivotally disposed about one axle and the second portion pivotally disposed about the other axle. The folding platform is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position an interior faces of the first portion and second portion are in substantially parallel alignment with a top surface of the base. In the closed position the interior faces of each portion are substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base and interior faces define a folding channel. A ultrasound transducer assembly positioned on the folding platform during actuation from the open position to the closed position is folded into a substantially taco-like shape within the folding channel.

Abstract: A medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

Abstract: A medical assembly and method of use includes a catheter, a medical instrument and a navigation system. A localization element is attached to a handle of the catheter. A localization element is attached to a handle of the medical instrument. The localization elements are detectable by the navigation system. The medical instrument includes a needle, when the needle is positioned entirely within a working channel of the catheter, a tip of the needle is in an unextended position and the location elements are in a zeroed out position. When the needle tip extends out of the working channel to an extended position, the location elements are in an extension position. In the extension position the distance between the location elements is less than in the zeroed out position. The difference between the zeroed out position and the extension position is displayed on a display as a needle stroke value.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly including a handle assembly having a first handle portion and a second handle portion proximate the second end, wherein the second handle portion is slidably engaged with the first handle portion. A first localization element is attached to the first handle portion and a second localization element is attached to the second handle portion. A medical instrument is mechanically coupled to the second handle portion and a translation of the second handle portion with respect to the first handle portion causes a coincident and coextensive translation of the medical instrument. The amount of translation of the medical instrument is adapted to be determined by calculating the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. The first and second localization elements may be electromagnetic sensors which positions may be determined by a navigation system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device and its method of use includes a catheter, at least two electromagnetic sensing coils located within the distal tip of the catheter, and a multi-element planar ultrasound transducer array located within the distal tip of the catheter and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. The device also includes an imaging system coupled to the ultrasound transducer and is used for creating an image of tissue in a first target plane that extends orthogonally from the catheter body. The medical device also includes a backscatter evaluation system for use in receiving and evaluating the acoustic spectral characteristics of tissues within a second target area within the first target plane.

Abstract: A local extension method for segmentation of anatomical treelike structures includes receiving an initial segmentation of 3D image data including an initial treelike structure. A target point in the 3D image data is defined, and a region of interest based on the target point is extracted to create a sub-image. Highly tubular voxels are detected in the sub-image, and a spillage-constrained region growing is performed using the highly tubular voxels as seed points. Connected components are extracted from the results of the region growing. The extracted components are pruned to discard components not likely to be connected to the initial treelike structure, keeping only candidate components likely to be a valid sub-tree of the initial treelike structure. The candidate components are connected to the initial treelike structure, thereby extending the initial segmentation in the region of interest.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. An introducer canula and a cryoprobe are inserted the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe is cooled and an ice ball is formed. The cryoprobe is removed while the ice ball is still frozen, and an ultrasound catheter is inserted. Ultrasound generated within the ice ball is used to determine the distance from the ultrasound catheter to a perimeter of the ice ball. This is repeated at different angles to model a slice of the ice ball. The ultrasound catheter is moved radially, and the process is repeated to create a model of at least a portion of the ice ball. The ice ball model can be displayed on a registered set of images representing the targeted tissue to ensure that the tissue lies within the treatment zone of the ice ball.

Abstract: A method of registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device inserted into a steerable catheter using a navigation system is provided. The method includes inserting the imaging device into a working channel of the steerable catheter and generating a real-time image feed of one or more reference points, wherein the orientation of the reference points is known. The method further includes orienting a handle of the steerable catheter to a neutral position, displaying the real-time image feed on a display of the navigation system, and registering the real-time image feed to the steerable catheter by rotating the displayed image so that the reference points in the real-time image feed are matched to the known orientation of the reference points.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A medical instrument assembly is provided herein. The medical instrument includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a working channel housing a needle. The distal end of the needle is extendable through a distal exit of the working channel. Positioned distal of the distal exit is a transducer assembly with a unique compact, folded configuration. The transducer assembly includes a transducer, at least one ASIC chip, and at least one capacitor all in electrical communication and mounted to a substrate. The transducer assembly is folded into a taco shape such that the transducer is positioned over and against the at least one ASIC chip and the at least one capacitor.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for applying convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to aid in rapid on-site evaluation cytopathology. Image data are acquired from a biopsy slide. Areas of interest are determined using a first CNN. The image data is segmented into image tiles, and tiles showing the areas of interest are analyzed using a second CNN to assign a histologic category to the slide. The second CNN also utilizes site specific data relating to the biopsy location. Layered image data from multiple focal planes can be acquired of the slide and used as input to the second CNN. Categorized tiles are sorted and presented to a remote computing system for cytopathology determinations, aided by the results of applying the second CNN. Semantic segmentation can also be developed, both as input to the second CNN and as data presented to the remote computer system.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. An introducer canula and a cryoprobe are inserted the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe is cooled and an ice ball is formed. The cryoprobe is removed while the ice ball is still frozen, and an ultrasound catheter is inserted. Ultrasound generated within the ice ball is used to determine the distance from the ultrasound catheter to a perimeter of the ice ball. This is repeated at different angles to model a slice of the ice ball. The ultrasound catheter is moved radially, and the process is repeated to create a model of at least a portion of the ice ball. The ice ball model can be displayed on a registered set of images representing the targeted tissue to ensure that the tissue lies within the treatment zone of the ice ball.

Abstract: A method of registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device inserted into a steerable catheter using a navigation system is provided. The method includes inserting the imaging device into a working channel of the steerable catheter and generating a real-time image feed of one or more reference points, wherein the orientation of the reference points is known. The method further includes orienting a handle of the steerable catheter to a neutral position, displaying the real-time image feed on a display of the navigation system, and registering the real-time image feed to the steerable catheter by rotating the displayed image so that the reference points in the real-time image feed are matched to the known orientation of the reference points.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system and method of use is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument, as provided, may be a steerable surgical catheter with a biopsy device and/or a surgical catheter with a side-exiting medical instrument, among others. Additionally, systems, methods and devices are provided for forming a respiratory-gated point cloud of a patient's respiratory system and for placing a localization element in an organ of a patient.