Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: A registration fixture is configured for use with a medical imaging system. The registration fixture comprises a rigid internal structure comprising a plurality of fiducial markers arranged in a predefined pattern. The registration fixture further comprises a housing configured to surround the rigid internal structure. The registration fixture is configured to be mounted on a patient table.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses for generating a magnetic field for tracking of a target object. Such an apparatus may include a localized magnetic field transmitter that generates a magnetic field and exhibits minimal X-ray absorption when used in proximity to a fluoroscopic imaging system, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object can include a localized magnetic field generator that is configured to generate a magnetic field and to control the magnetic field in an area of interest and configured to control the magnetic field in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component. The object can be located in the area of interest.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting and correcting for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field used for medical magnetic localization systems.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure identify and correct for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field for localization of a medical device within a patient. Such magnetic field distortions, often associated with the intrusion of a metallic object into the magnetic field, may cause an unacceptable level of localization error which aspects of the present disclosure correct for.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting and correcting for magnetic field distortions within a magnetic field used for medical magnetic localization systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object (12) can include a localized magnetic field generator (76) that is configured to generate a magnetic field (621) and to control the magnetic field (621) in an area of interest (38) and configured to control the magnetic field (621) in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest (38) and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component (86). The object (12) can be located in the area of interest (38).

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly is configured to be associated with a table supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of magnetic field transmitters, each comprising interlacing layers of conductive material, configured to provide increased magnetic strength and minimal fluoroscopic occlusion. The interlacing layers of conductive material can be arranged in rectangular spiral formations.

Abstract: A system for registering a group of images of an anatomical region of a patient in a coordinate system of a medical system is disclosed. The system includes an object disposed in a known position in the coordinate system. In one embodiment, the object has a first state in which the object is visible in at least one image and a second state in which the object is invisible in at least another image. In another embodiment, the object is substantially invisible to the eye in each image, but detectable by image processing. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to process the images to identify an image location of the object, create a transformation model responsive to the image location and the known position of the object in the coordinate system, and register the group of images in the coordinate system using the model.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object. The apparatus may include transmitting elements that generate a desired magnetic field (when combined) in an area of interest, and a rapid decaying magnetic field in a separate area. The separate area can be adjacent to the area of interest and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component.

Abstract: A registration fixture or plate is configured for use with a medical imaging system. The registration fixture may be an optical magnetic registration plate including a plurality of fiducial markers in arranged in a predefined unique pattern. The pattern can be unambiguously detected on 2D image of the plate produced by the medical imaging system. Association of the 2D imaged pattern of fiducial markers with the actual 3D pattern on the optical magnetic registration plate allows for accurate calculation of projection matrices and co-registration of the 3D and 2D coordinate systems.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly is configured to be associated with a table supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly (44) is configured to be associated with a table (20) supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters (57A) that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters (57A) are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality. A plurality of transmitters is arranged in a first layer of the assembly. Each transmitter (57A) comprises an elongate conductive element, such as a wire, arranged in a spiral form, such as a coil.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a positioning system and a patient reference sensor (PRS). The positioning system acquires a plurality of raw PRS readings over time, which can indicate the position and orientation of the PRS. A filter is configured to process the raw PRS readings and output filtered PRS readings. The filter outputs filtered PRS readings as a baseline value while the raw PRS readings stay within a predetermined range and output filtered PRS readings as unchanged raw PRS readings when the raw PRS readings reach or vary outside of the predetermined range. A motion compensation function generated based on at least the filtered PRS readings can be used to correct a subject position and orientation (P&O) to compensate for the motion of the moving region of interest over time.

Abstract: A method for emulating prerecorded images may comprise acquiring at least one organ timing signal reading representing an activity state of an organ with at least one organ timing signal detector, acquiring a plurality of images with a medical imaging system, associating each of the plurality of images with an organ timing signal reading, removing any of the organ timing signal readings and associated images that are not representative of a normal organ configuration, and outputting a sequence of the representative images for a display.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical systems and methods for combining and synergizing information in an expedient format for viewing on a display screen. In one embodiment, a method for combining and synergizing data from different medical systems comprises obtaining from a first medical system an image disposed relative to a first coordinate system, obtaining from a second medical system supplemental data; synchronizing first and second clocks of the first and second medical systems, respectively, and displaying in synchronicity the supplemental data combined with the image. In other embodiments, coordinate systems of the first and second medical systems can be co-registered. In another embodiment, sensor integration time and spatial accuracy of the first and second medical systems can be used with an algorithm to produce synergized information.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.