Abstract: A system and method to image an imaged subject is provided. The system comprises a controller, and an imaging system including an imaging probe in communication with the controller. The imaging probe acquires image data with movement through the imaged subject. The system also includes an ablation catheter including a marker having a unique identifier to be detected in the acquired image data, and a tracking system having one of a plurality of tracking elements located at the imaging probe and at least another tracking element located at the ablation catheter. A display illustrates the image data acquired with the imaging probe in combination with a graphic representation of an imaging plane vector representative of a general direction of a field of view (FOV) of image acquisition of the imaging probe in spatial relation to a graphic representation of the identifier and the location of the ablation catheter.

Abstract: A system and method to display a four-dimensional (4D) model of an imaged anatomy is provided. The system comprises a controller, and an imaging system including an imaging probe in communication with the controller. The imaging probe can acquire generally real-time, 3D image data relative to a direction of image acquisition along an imaging plane. The system also includes a tracking system in communication with the controller. The tracking system includes at least one tracking element integrated with the imaging probe. The system is operable to process the generally real-time, 3D image data acquired by the imaging probe relative to generally real-time tracking information acquired by the tracking system so as to display the 4D model of the imaged anatomy.

Abstract: An embodiment of an imaging system of an imaged subject is provided. The imaging system comprises a controller, and an imaging system and a display in communication with the controller. The imaging system can include an imaging probe having a marker representative of a unique identifier. The display can be illustrative of the imaged data acquired with the imaging probe in combination with a graphic representation of an imaging plane vector representative of a general direction of a field of view (FOV) of image acquisition of the imaging probe traveling through the imaged subject.

Abstract: A method for minimizing tracking system interference caused by a motor driven ultrasonic imaging device is disclosed herein. The method includes providing an ultrasonic imaging device adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The ultrasonic imaging device includes a motor configured to rotate a transducer array within a catheter housing. The method for minimizing tracking system interference also includes estimating a noise signal produced by the motor, selecting a tracking system signal strength and/or frequency adapted to minimize a tracking system interference, and implementing a field generator to produce a tracking system signal at the selected tracking system signal strength and/or frequency.

Abstract: An imaging and navigation system is disclosed herein. The imaging and navigation system includes a computer and an ultrasonic imaging device disposed at least partially within an ultrasound catheter. The ultrasonic imaging device is connected to the computer and is adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The imaging and navigation system also includes a tracking system connected to the computer. The tracking system is adapted to estimate a position of a medical instrument. The imaging and navigation system also includes a display connected to the computer. The display is adapted to depict the generally real time three-dimensional image from the ultrasonic imaging device and to graphically convey the estimated position of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A method for implementing an imaging and navigation system to perform a medical procedure such as cardiac ablation is disclosed herein. The a method includes implementing an ultrasonic imaging device to provide a generally real time three-dimensional patient image, identifying a target site on the generally real time three-dimensional patient image, directing a medical instrument to the target site using a tracking system, and performing a medical procedure at the target site.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system including an ultrasound catheter is disclosed herein. The ultrasound catheter includes a flexible catheter housing defining a distal end, a transducer array disposed at least partially within the catheter housing, and a motor coupled with the transducer array. The motor is configured to rotate the transducer array in order to image a three-dimensional volume. The ultrasound catheter also includes a tracking element adapted to provide an estimate of a position and/or orientation of the distal end of the catheter housing. The tracking element is disposed within the catheter housing and immediately adjacent to the distal end.

Abstract: A system and method to image an imaged subject is provided. The system comprises an ultrasound imaging system including an imaging probe operable to move internally and acquire ultrasound image data of the imaged subject, a fluoroscopic imaging system operable to acquire fluoroscopic image data of the imaged subject during image acquisition by the ultrasound imaging system, and a controller in communication with the ultrasound imaging system and the fluoroscopic imaging system. A display can be illustrative of the ultrasound image data acquired with the imaging probe in combination with a fluoroscopic imaging data acquired by the fluoroscopic imaging system.

Abstract: A system to navigate an object traveling in an imaged subject is provided. The system includes a four-dimensional (4D) imaging system to create a first three-dimensional model of the acquired imaged data correlated relative to a time reference and defined relative to a first image coordinate system. A second imaging system creates a second three-dimensional model of the imaged subject defined relative to a second image coordinate system. A tracking system tracks movement and orientation of the object relative to a tracking coordinate system. A controller includes program instructions in combination with the processor operable to register the first and second image coordinate systems and the tracking coordinate system relative to a world coordinate system, and to combine the three-dimensional model created by the 4D imaging system with the three-dimensional model created by the second imaging system with a tracked location of the object relative to the world coordinate system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for imaging system calibration using a field replaceable unit. Certain embodiments provide a field replaceable unit for imaging system calibration. The unit includes an array of radio opaque fiducials arranged for use in image calibration for an imaging system. The unit also includes a plurality of receivers positioned around a periphery of a detector in the imaging system for use in navigation calibration for the imaging system. The unit further includes a connection for providing data regarding image calibration and navigation calibration to a processor. Additionally, the unit includes a frame for positioning the array of radio opaque fiducials and the plurality of receivers embedded in a concave target with respect to a detector in the imaging system.

Abstract: A method for restoring navigation failure information in a fluoroscopy-based imaging system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of receiver navigation information using a calibration target rigidly attached to a supporting member of the imaging system. The calibration target may include a plurality of receivers providing navigation information and the supporting member may be a C-arm. The method identifies a navigation failure and corresponding to the navigation failure a calibrated receiver navigation information is generated. The calibrated receiver navigation information is generated using a calibration information and a C-arm imaging position obtained during navigation failure. A receiver navigation information corresponding to the navigation failure is estimated using the calibrated receiver navigation information, and a transmitter navigation information.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present technique, a method for selecting between a plurality of electromagnetic sensors to correct for one or more field distortions includes, in the presence of an electromagnetic field, acquiring signals representative of the location of a plurality of electromagnetic sensors. The method further includes selecting between the signals from the plurality of electromagnetic sensors based on one or more quality metrics. In another aspect of the present technique, a system for selecting an optimum EM sensor to correct for one or more field distortions includes a plurality of EM sensors and an additional EM sensor for transmitting or receiving signals representative of the location of each of the plurality of EM sensors. The system further includes a controller configured to acquire signals representative of the location of the plurality of EM sensors, and select between the signals from the plurality of EM sensors based on one or more quality metrics.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying errors while tracking instrument navigations is enclosed. The method may include assigning a plurality of virtual points to a plurality of sensors. At least one of the virtual points may be a non-fixed virtual point. The assignment of virtual points to sensors may be determined based on the medical instrument, or the medical instrument attachment, being used. Virtual point locations may be determined for the non-fixed virtual point. The locations of the non-fixed virtual point may be determined based on the medical instrument, or the medical instrument attachment, being used. The vector values for vectors terminating at the non-fixed virtual point may be adjusted. The field integrity values for the virtual points may be computed. If a field integrity value is greater than a threshold value, an error signal may be communicated.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for calibration of an imaging camera or other image acquisition device. Certain embodiments include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imager to a coordinate system of a first sensor positioned with respect to the imager using a first off-line calibration. Certain embodiments also include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imaging camera source to a coordinate system of a second sensor positioned with respect to the imaging camera source using a second off-line calibration. Additionally, certain embodiments include quantifying intrinsic parameters of the imaging camera source based on a transformation from the coordinate system of the imager to the coordinate system of the imaging camera source based on the first and second off-line calibrations and information from the first and second sensors and a transmitter positioned with respect to an object being imaged.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved tracking of an internal object, such as an implant or part of the anatomy, during an image-guided operation. In an embodiment, the method may include obtaining a plurality of fiducials for an internal object from a plurality of projection views, obtaining a plurality of measurements for the internal object using the plurality of fiducials, forming a three-dimensional model of the internal object using the plurality of measurements from a plurality of projection views for use in tracking the internal object, and performing an image-guided operation using an image data set and a three-dimensional representation of the internal object. The fiducials may be indentations, curves, grooves and/or identifying features in the internal object. In an embodiment, the representation of the internal object is compared to a computer-generated model of the internal object.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating an instrument for an image-guided operation. The method includes placing a plurality of fiducials on an instrument, obtaining a plurality of measurements for the instrument using the plurality of fiducials, determining a representation of the instrument in a reference coordinate system using the plurality of measurements for use in tracking the instrument, and performing an image-guided operation using an image data set and representation of the instrument. The representation may be a closed form registration for the instrument. The measurements for the instrument may be obtained using a plurality of fiducials and a sensor. The fiducials may be indentations and/or grooves in the instrument. In an embodiment, the representation of the instrument is dynamically updated during an image-guided operation. In an embodiment, the representation of the instrument is compared to a computer-generated model of the instrument.