Abstract: A method for detecting when a tool contacts a wall of a region of interest includes the steps of: tracking the motion of the tool and creating a tool motion profile; calculating a correlation value representative of the correlation between the tool motion profile and a wall motion profile indicative of the motion of the wall; and determining when the correlation value exceeds a threshold indicative of contact of the tool with the wall of the region of interest.

Abstract: A tool dislodgement detection apparatus includes an MPS outputting position and orientation (P&O) readings for determining tool motion. A control generates an alarm based on the tool motion and dislodgement criteria. The criteria includes whether the tool motion meets a condition based on the type of medical procedure or tool, the tool parking position, a patient characteristic (e.g., age, weight, gender) or a physician preference. The criteria includes when the correlation between the tool motion and the cardiac, respiration and patient motion changes abruptly. In a prolapse detection apparatus, guidewire tip P&O readings determine a tip motion vector. The control generates an alarm using the motion vector and predetermined criteria. The criteria include a substantial change in the tip orientation not accompanied by a corresponding position change and a change in the motion vector by about 180° accompanied by a corresponding position change no greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing an electrophysiological map of a heart of a patient are disclosed. An example method may include determining a target location and an orientation of a catheter tip, confirming that the tip is located at the target location, measuring the heart parameter value at each of the target locations, and superimposing a plurality of representations of the heart parameter value. Confirmation that the tip of the catheter is located at a target location can be accomplished by comparing the current location of the tip with the target location, a corresponding heart parameter value being measured at each of the target locations by a heart parameter sensor, and the representations of the heart parameter value being superimposed on an image of the heart at the target location to produce the electrophysiological map.

Abstract: A tool dislodgement detection apparatus includes an MPS outputting position and orientation (P&O) readings for determining tool motion. A control generates an alarm based on the tool motion and dislodgement criteria. The criteria includes whether the tool motion meets a condition based on the type of medical procedure or tool, the tool parking position, a patient characteristic (e.g., age, weight, gender) or a physician preference. The criteria includes when the correlation between the tool motion and the cardiac, respiration and patient motion changes abruptly. In a prolapse detection apparatus, guidewire tip P&O readings determine a tip motion vector. The control generates an alarm using the motion vector and predetermined criteria. The criteria include a substantial change in the tip orientation not accompanied by a corresponding position change and a change in the motion vector by about 180° accompanied by a corresponding position change no greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A medical tool includes a location sensor at a distal end. While the tool is being maneuvered to a desired region of interest, a control unit records a first location reading obtained according to an output from the sensor when requested by a user, indicative of when a patient's anatomy constrains free movement of the tool in at least one degree of freedom. Once the tool has reached the region of interest, the control unit records a second location reading according to the sensor output indicative of a current location. A relaxation shape of the tool forms a shape constraint on the tool shape reconstruction. The control unit determines a reconstruction representing the current shape of the tool based on the positional constraints and the shape constraint. The reconstruction is graphically superimposed on an image of the region of interest.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of an object comprises obtaining a signal indicative of a static 3D reconstruction of an object disposed in a tracking space, co-registering the 3D reconstruction to the 3D tracking space, collecting enhancement data from a tracked tool disposed in the 3D tracking space, and adding real-time features of the object to the static 3D reconstruction using the enhancement data. A system for enhancing data obtained by a medical system includes an electronic control unit configured to receive a first signal for a static 3D reconstruction of an organ, co-register the static 3D reconstruction to a 3D tracking space for a tracked tool, receive a second signal for enhancement data generated by the tracked tool operating within a region of interest of the organ, and add real-time features of the area of interest to the static 3D reconstruction using the enhancement data.

Abstract: Provided is a method for lifting a first tissue layer with respect to a second tissue layer adjacent thereto, during an endoscopic procedure. The method includes delivering a composition configured to undergo phase transition, to a region between the first tissue layer and the second tissue layer, and controllably inducing phase transition of the composition from a liquid state to a solid state thereof. Further provided is a device and a kit for lifting a first tissue layer with respect to a second tissue layer adjacent thereto, during an endoscopic procedure. The device includes an injection module having an elongate body, a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region may include at least one outlet to a region between the first tissue layer and the second tissue layer, and a phase transition module.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.

Abstract: A safe card system comprising: a plurality of safe cards, at least one safe card reader and a service provider computer. Each safe card: Capable of generating at a specific time a temporary number based on combination of a first number representing at least one biometric identifier, and a temporary second number, and a card signal based on the temporary number; The at least one safe card reader capable of reading the card signal, and converting the card signal into a card reader number, The service provider: Capable of drawing at a specific time at least one fifth number associated with said time, generating at least one sixth number derived from the fifth numbers, and comparing the sixth numbers to the card reader number so as to allow service to the safe card when a sixth number is identical to the card reader number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for navigating a surgical device toward a target organ in the body of a patient. An example method includes providing a surgical needle and a guide wire, the surgical needle configured for insertion into a vein or a beating heart. The method also includes holding the guide wire within the surgical needle while the surgical needle is inserted into the vein or the beating heart. The method also includes generating output in two modes, the output based on at least one medical positioning system (MPS) sensor on the guide wire, the output corresponding to a position of the surgical needle and the guide wire for navigating the surgical needle and the guide wire toward a target in the vein or the heart. The methods can be carried out directly by a physician or via a computer processor-based surgical system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for navigating a surgical device toward a target organ in the body of a patient. An example method includes providing a surgical needle and a guide wire, the surgical needle configured for insertion into a vein or a beating heart. The method also includes holding the guide wire within the surgical needle while the surgical needle is inserted into the vein or the beating heart. The method also includes generating output in two modes, the output based on at least one medical positioning system (MPS) sensor on the guide wire, the output corresponding to a position of the surgical needle and the guide wire for navigating the surgical needle and the guide wire toward a target in the vein or the heart. The methods can be carried out directly by a physician or via a computer processor-based surgical system.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to processing, tracking and registering angiography images and elements in such images relative to images from an intravascular imaging modality such as, for example, optical coherence tomography (OCT). Registration between such imaging modalities is facilitated by tracking of a marker of the intravascular imaging probe performed on the angiography images obtained during a pullback. Further, detecting and tracking vessel centerlines is used to perform a continuous registration between OCT and angiography images in one embodiment.

Abstract: A seafaring game comprising: a virtual environment comprising a sailing region coincident with a region of a body of water; at least one navigation rule for navigating a sailboat in the virtual environment; and at least one game rule that defines an interaction between a first sailboat navigating the virtual environment and a second sailboat navigating the virtual environment and how to gain advantage for winning the game responsive to the interaction.

Abstract: A technique for testing peer nodes in a multicast domain (such as an access network) interconnected with an Ethernet network via an Intermediate Bridge (IB), especially helpful when an individual MAC address of a destination peer node is unknown. The technique comprises a) issuing a Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) message from the Ethernet network, and introducing into the CFM message alternative destination data being different than the individual MAC address of the destination peer node; b) utilizing the alternative destination data, at the IB, for determining topological position or address of the destination peer node, and c) forwarding contents of the CFM message only to the destination peer node.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing an electrophysiological map of a heart of a patient are disclosed. An example method may include determining a target location and an orientation of a catheter tip, confirming that the tip is located at the target location, measuring the heart parameter value at each of the target locations, and superimposing a plurality of representations of the heart parameter value. Confirmation that the tip of the catheter is located at a target location can be accomplished by comparing the current location of the tip with the target location, a corresponding heart parameter value being measured at each of the target locations by a heart parameter sensor, and the representations of the heart parameter value being superimposed on an image of the heart at the target location to produce the electrophysiological map.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure involves a medical imaging system and a method for displaying images of medical devices deployed within a body of a patient in relation to images of anatomical structures of the body. Because of various operating constraints, the images may have been acquired from different coordinate systems at different times. Three-dimensional (3D) positions of physical and virtual sensors in addition to phases of a body organ may be used in associating the images from the different coordinate systems. The system may also compensate for any movement of the patient along an operating table, as well as for movement caused by respiratory and cardiac activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for navigating a surgical device toward a target organ in the body of a patient. An example method includes providing a surgical needle and a guide wire, the surgical needle configured for insertion into a vein or a beating heart. The method also includes holding the guide wire within the surgical needle while the surgical needle is inserted into the vein or the beating heart. The method also includes generating output in two modes, the output based on at least one medical positioning system (MPS) sensor on the guide wire, the output corresponding to a position of the surgical needle and the guide wire for navigating the surgical needle and the guide wire toward a target in the vein or the heart. The methods can be carried out directly by a physician or via a computer processor-based surgical system.

Abstract: Processing of a variable print document corresponding to a plurality of elements, each element having a type, a coverage area and a z-axis value, may be improved by creating a composite elements to replace groups of elements when element types are compatible and when creating composite elements is desirable based at least on the coverage area of the composite element, for example, in relation to the sum of the coverage areas of the elements in the group, and otherwise swapping z-axis values of elements if the elements do not overlap. Elements may further include at least one of a transparency and/or text-wrap parameter, which may be used in the method for producing composite elements.

Abstract: A method for detecting when a tool contacts a wall of a region of interest includes the steps of: tracking the motion of the tool and creating a tool motion profile; calculating a correlation value representative of the correlation between the tool motion profile and a wall motion profile indicative of the motion of the wall; and determining when the correlation value exceeds a threshold indicative of contact of the tool with the wall of the region of interest.