Abstract: A medical system for minimally-invasive measurement of blood flow in an artery (AT). An interventional device (IVD) with an optical fiber (FB) comprising a plurality of temperature-sensitive optical sensor segments, e.g. Fiber Bragg Gratings, spatially distributed along its longitudinal extension is configured for insertion into an artery (AT). A temperature changer (TC) is arranged in the WD to introduce a local change in temperature (?T) of a bolus of blood in the artery, to allow thermal tracking over time with the optical fiber (FB). A measurement unit (MU) with a laser light source (LS) delivers light to the optical fiber (FB) and receives light reflected from the optical fiber (FB) and generates a corresponding time varying output signal. A first algorithm (A1) translates this time varying output signal into a set of temperatures corresponding to temperatures at respective positions along the optical fiber (FB).

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure. An interventional device tracking system is configured to track a three-dimensional position, orientation and shape of the interventional device during the procedure, wherein the overlay image is dynamically updated in response to deformations caused to an organ of interest by the interventional device during the procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position of an instrument (100) includes a sheath (104) configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed with a pre-procedural volumetric image to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure.

Abstract: An interventional instrument, system and method include an elongated flexible member (100) having one or more segmented sections (101) disposed longitudinally. An optical fiber (104) is disposed internally in the flexible member. A plurality of optical sensors (102) are coupled to the optical fiber and distributed along a length of the flexible member such that the optical sensors are positioned to monitor parameters simultaneously at different positions or at different data sources along the flexible member to provide distributed sensing.

Abstract: An interventional ablation device (1) is proposed to comprise an ablation needle (3) with an elongated body (5) and a handle (7). Adjacent to an ablation element (9) provided on the body (5), at least one or preferably two or more sensors (11-21) are provided, preferably at both of opposing sides of the ablation element (9). The ablation device (1) is adapted for detecting physiological information of tissue (27, 29, 31) surrounding an ablation site (33) based on measurement values provided by the sensors. E.g., optical sensors may be used to measure a reflectance spectrum indicating whether the adjacent tissue is healthy tissue (31), tumorous tissue (27) or ablated tissue (29). Using such information, an ablation process may be controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method determining a position of an instrument (100) are provided. A sheath (104) is configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed with a pre-procedural volumetric image to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus 100 and, a method and a computer program for determining a parameter indicative of a tissue type of an associated tissue 116. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus 100 comprising a spectrometer 102, which spectrometer comprises a light source 104 and a detector 106, 108 arranged to measure an optical spectrum. This enables determination of a first parameter being indicative of a bile concentration. As the inventors of the present invention have made the insight that bile concentration may serve as a discriminative feature for different tissue types, the apparatus is arranged to determine a second parameter indicative of a tissue type based on a concentration of bile. According to a specific embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an interventional device 112.

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 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: The present invention relates to an examination apparatus for providing information about an object and a method for providing information about an object of interest. In order to improve the visual reception of information relating to the object, an examination apparatus is provided that comprises an examination arrangement and a control unit with at least a first interface and a second interface. The examination arrangement is adapted to detect object data from at least one region of interest of an object and to provide the object data to the control unit. Further, the control unit is adapted to compute object data into object information and to transform at least a part of the object information into image data (32, 36). Further, the control unit is arranged to extract pre-determined indicative data from the object information and to transform the indicative data into graphical advisory data (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus 100 and, a method and a computer program for determining a parameter indicative of a tissue type of an associated tissue 116. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus 100 comprising a spectrometer 102, which spectrometer comprises a light source 104 and a detector 106, 108 arranged to measure an optical spectrum. This enables determination of a first parameter being indicative of a bile concentration. As the inventors of the present invention have made the insight that bile concentration may serve as a discriminative feature for different tissue types, the apparatus is arranged to determine a second parameter indicative of a tissue type based on a concentration of bile. According to a specific embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an interventional device 112.

Abstract: A medical system for minimally-invasive measurement of blood flow in an artery (AT). An interventional device (IVD) with an optical fiber (FB) comprising a plurality of temperature-sensitive optical sensor segments, e.g. Fiber Bragg Gratings, spatially distributed along its longitudinal extension is configured for insertion into an artery (AT). A temperature changer (TC) is arranged in the WD to introduce a local change in temperature (?T) of a bolus of blood in the artery, to allow thermal tracking over time with the optical fiber (FB). A measurement unit (MU) with a laser light source (LS) delivers light to the optical fiber (FB) and receives light reflected from the optical fiber (FB) and generates a corresponding time varying output signal. A first algorithm (A1) translates this time varying output signal into a set of temperatures corresponding to temperatures at respective positions along the optical fiber (FB).

Abstract: A system, device and method for measuring dynamic movement of a subject include a mesh configured to flexibly and snuggly fit over at least a portion of the subject. The mesh includes one or more shape sensing optical fibers disposed therein, and a second feedback modality of measurement that includes sensors or detectors incorporated therein such that the one or more shape sensing optical fibers monitors movement of the sensors or detectors on a subject. A reconstruction module is coupled to the shape sensing fibers to receive feedback signals and interpret dynamic changes in a shape and position of the sensors or detectors based on the feedback signals. The reconstruction module accounts for the dynamic changes to improve a medical activity on the subject.

Abstract: A system for monitoring changes during therapy includes a first probing segment (112) having an optical fiber sensor disposed therein. The first segment is percutaneously inserted in or near a target area and providing a local reference for one or more treatment devices. A second probing segment (114) has an optical fiber sensor disposed therein. The second segment is generally disposed apart from the first probe and provides a spatial reference point for the first segment. The first and second segments have at least one common position to function as a reference between the first and second probes. A shape determination method (107) is configured to determine a shape of each of the first and second segments based on feedback signals to measure changes in the shapes during a procedure and update a therapy plan in accordance with the changes.

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system (105) configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator (113) is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure. An interventional device tracking system (108, 125) is configured to track a three-dimensional position, orientation and shape of the interventional device during the procedure, wherein the overlay image is dynamically updated in response to deformations caused to an organ of interest by the interventional device during the procedure.

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: 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.