Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for retrieving a magnetic marker implanted in an individual. The device includes an introducer having a tip. An obturator is disposed within the introducer. The obturator has a magnetic end. The obturator is operable such that the magnetic end is enclosed within the introducer in a first position and the magnetic end extends at least partially beyond the tip of the introducer in a second position. A method for removing a magnetic marker from a location within an individual includes inserting an introducer into an individual. The introducer has an obturator with a magnetic end. A magnetic marker is magnetically attracted using the obturator such that the magnetic marker attaches to the obturator. The obturator is retracted into the introducer such that the magnetic marker is at least partially within the introducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking the location and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest, such as a tumor, using magnetic seeds whose position and orientation are measured or otherwise detected using a detection device that includes two or more magnetic sensors are described. One or more magnetic seeds are implanted to mark and define the center and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest and a magnetic sensor-based detector system is used to accurately identify the location of the magnetic seeds.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a probe for determining a position and pose of an anisotropic magnetic marker having a known size, shape, and magnetization. The probe has a substrate having a first side, a second side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis. A first magnetic sensor is on the first side of the substrate. A second magnetic sensor is on the first side of the substrate and spaced apart from the first magnetic sensor along the longitudinal axis of the substrate and spaced apart from the first magnetic sensor along the transverse axis of the substrate. A third magnetic sensor is on the second side of the substrate. Each of the first magnetic sensor, the second magnetic sensor, and the third magnetic sensor is a multidimensional magnetic sensor. A processor is configured to determine a disposition of the magnetic marker in five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A magnetically-tracked catheter system having a catheter and a magnetic beacon. The catheter has a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter includes a first magnetic sensor disposed at (i.e., near) the distal end. The magnetic beacon is configured to be disposed external to an individual and in a target zone. An operator interface is in electronic communication with the first magnetic sensor. The catheter may further include a guide lumen (and/or other lumen or lumens) extending between the proximal end and the distal end and the configured for use with a guidewire. The catheter may include an occlusion member configured to occlude a vessel or other passage of an individual (e.g, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, etc.).

Abstract: An exemplary method for detecting magnetic noise comprises: receiving a set of magnetic field gradient values obtained using a probe device; providing the set of magnetic field gradient values to a neural network to predict a marker state of a magnetic marker; providing the predicted marker state from the neural network to a magnetic field gradient prediction model to generate a predicted set of magnetic field gradient values; comparing the set of magnetic field gradient values obtained using the probe device with the set of predicted magnetic field gradient values; and providing a magnetic noise indicator depending on the comparison between the set of magnetic field gradient values obtained using the probe device and the set of predicted magnetic field gradient values.

Abstract: A deployment system for a magnetic marker includes a cannula having a lumen, an open distal end, and a at least one lateral aperture; and a magnetic marker having a body and at least one resilient prong extending from the body, the at least one resilient prong configured to have an expanded state and a compressed state, wherein the magnetic marker is configured to be stored in the expanded state within the lumen of the cannula such that at least a portion of the at least one resilient prong is within a corresponding lateral aperture of the at least one lateral aperture of the cannula, wherein the lumen has a diameter configured to compress the at least one resilient prong of the magnetic marker into the compressed state during deployment of the magnetic marker.

Abstract: An exemplary method for providing feedback by a localization system comprises: obtaining location information of a marker, wherein the location information is generated by the localization system; generating a feedback signal comprising a plurality of audio tones, wherein each audio tone has a frequency different from the other audio tones of the plurality of audio tones, and wherein each audio tone is associated with a respective activation function of a plurality of activation functions, the respective activation function configured to modulate an amplitude of the respective audio tone based on the obtained location information of the marker; and providing the feedback signal to indicate the location information of the marker.

Abstract: A method and system for localizing a target (e.g., a fiducial marker, or other target) in an individual. The method includes transmitting an ultrasonic signal from a transducer array. Radiofrequency (RF) signal data is generated based on a reflected signal received at the transducer array. The reflected signal results from the transmitted ultrasonic signal, and at least a portion of the reflected signal includes a signal reflected from the target. A location of the target is determined relative to the transducer array based on the RF signal data. The location may include a distance from the target to the transducer array and/or a direction of the target relative to the transducer array. A location indicator is provided to an operator. The location indicator is based on the determined location of the target.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as a probe for determining a position and pose of an anisotropic magnetic marker having a known size, shape, and magnetization. The probe has a substrate having a first side, a second side, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis. A first magnetic sensor is on the first side of the substrate. A second magnetic sensor is on the first side of the substrate and spaced apart from the first magnetic sensor along the longitudinal axis of the substrate and spaced apart from the first magnetic sensor along the transverse axis of the substrate. A third magnetic sensor is on the second side of the substrate. Each of the first magnetic sensor, the second magnetic sensor, and the third magnetic sensor is a multidimensional magnetic sensor. A processor is configured to determine a disposition of the magnetic marker in five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking the location and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest, such as a tumor, using magnetic seeds whose position and orientation are measured or otherwise detected using a detection device that includes two or more magnetic sensors are described. One or more magnetic seeds are implanted to mark and define the center and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest and a magnetic sensor-based detector system is used to accurately identify the location of the magnetic seeds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking the location and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest, such as a tumor, using magnetic seeds whose position and orientation are measured or otherwise detected using a detection device that includes two or more magnetic sensors are described. One or more magnetic seeds are implanted to mark and define the center and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest and a magnetic sensor-based detector system is used to accurately identify the location of the magnetic seeds.

Abstract: An interventional therapy system may include at least one catheter configured for insertion within an object of interest (OOI); and at least one controller which configured to: obtain a reference image dataset including a plurality of image slices which form a three-dimensional image of the OOI; define restricted areas (RAs) within the reference image dataset; determine location constraints for the at least one catheter in accordance with at least one of planned catheter intersection points, a peripheral boundary of the OOI and the RAs defined in the reference dataset; determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the distal end of the at least one catheter; and/or determine a planned trajectory for the at least one catheter in accordance with the determined at least one position and orientation for the at least one catheter and the location constraints.

Abstract: A magnetically-tracked catheter system having a catheter and a magnetic beacon. The catheter has a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter includes a first magnetic sensor disposed at (i.e., near) the distal end. The magnetic beacon is configured to be disposed external to an individual and in a target zone. An operator interface is in electronic communication with the first magnetic sensor. The catheter may further include a guide lumen (and/or other lumen or lumens) extending between the proximal end and the distal end and the configured for use with a guidewire. The catheter may include an occlusion member configured to occlude a vessel or other passage of an individual (e.g, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, etc.).

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking the location and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest, such as a tumor, using magnetic seeds whose position and orientation are measured or otherwise detected using a detection device that includes two or more magnetic sensors are described. One or more magnetic seeds are implanted to mark and define the center and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest and a magnetic sensor-based detector system is used to accurately identify the location of the magnetic seeds.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (“MR”) visible markers for use in MR-guided placement of brachytherapy seeds, and for use in other MR-guided interventional procedures, are described. The MR-visible markers generally include a tube in which an absorbent thread assembly is disposed. The tube is made fluid-tight by sealing it at both ends with suitable end plugs. The absorbent thread assembly is soaked in a suitable MR-visible fluid.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for knowledge-based brachytherapy planning. These systems and methods are capable of automatically generating treatment plans for prostate brachytherapy in clinically relevant times. Primitive features computed from anatomical contours of the target organ are used to retrieve a template plan from a database. The template plan is then adjusted in a stochastic search algorithm.

Abstract: An intervention system employs an interventional device (10), and a sensor wire (20) manually translatable within a lumen (11). The intervention system further employs a reconstruction controller (44) for reconstructing a shape of the interventional tool (10) responsive to a sensing of a manual translation of the sensor wire (20) within the lumen (11) (e.g., a EM sensor being attached to/embedded within a guide wire), and for determining a reconstruction accuracy of a translation velocity of the sensor wire (20) within the lumen (11) to thereby facilitate an accurate reconstruction of the shape of the interventional tool (10). The reconstruction accuracy may be determined by the reconstruction controller (44) as an acceptable translation velocity being less than an acceptable threshold, an unacceptable translation velocity being greater than an unacceptable threshold, and/or a borderline translation velocity being greater than the acceptable threshold and less than the unacceptable threshold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring doses from an ionizing radiation source to a treatment region of a patient and immobilizing a body cavity relative to the treatment region, is provided. The system includes a probe body for insertion into the body cavity. The probe body separates the body cavity from the treatment region to reduce exposure to doses from the ionizing radiation source. Radiation detectors are disposed along the probe body to measure at least one dose. A slot disposed adjacent the radiation detectors receives a dosimetry film that, upon exposure to the one or more doses from the ionizing radiation source, indicates a quantification of the doses. A coupling is in fluid communication with a removable sheath having coupled thereto a vacuum or a pump to remove fluid or gas from the body cavity and ensure inner wall of the body cavity is in contact with the sheath.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field quality assurance system employing an electromagnetic field generator (10) for emitting an electromagnetic field (12), and one or more quality assurance electromagnetic sensors (11, 21, 31, 41, 50) for sensing the emission of the electromagnetic field (12). The system further employs a quality assurance controller (74) for assessing a tracking quality of the electromagnetic field (12) derived from a monitoring of a sensed position of each quality assurance electromagnetic sensor (11, 21, 31, 41, 50) within a field-of-view of the electromagnetic field (12). The electromagnetic field generator (10), an ultrasound probe (20), an ultrasound stepper (30) and/or a patient table (40) may be equipped with the quality assurance electromagnetic sensor(s) (11, 21, 31, 41, 50).

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (“MR”) visible markers for use in MR-guided placement of brachytherapy seeds, and for use in other MR-guided interventional procedures, are described. The MR-visible markers generally include a tube in which an absorbent thread assembly is disposed. The tube is made fluid-tight by sealing it at both ends with suitable end plugs. The absorbent thread assembly is soaked in a suitable MR-visible fluid.