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.

Abstract: A system for selecting a calibration includes a data structure (138) including non-transitory computer readable storage media having a plurality of calibration entries stored therein and indexed to position and/or orientation criteria for a field generator. The field generator is configured for placement in an environment for sensor tracking. A calibration selection module (140) is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the field generator and, based on the position and/or orientation, determine, using the data structure, corresponding calibration information stored in the data structure. The calibration information is optimized based upon the position and/or orientation of the field generator.

Abstract: The generation of a pattern and for an adaptation to the specific geometry requires a lot of manual work. The workflow for the clinician is simplified during treatment planning. A treatment planning system is configured for determining a set of catheter or needle insertion positions to be used during treatment. The treatment planning system includes an image providing module for providing a medical image from which at least one treatment target structure can be derived. Further the treatment planning system includes a pattern providing module for providing one or a set of standard patterns for catheter or needle insertion including a plurality of catheter or needle insertion positions. The catheter or needle positions relate to treatment positions in the at least one treatment target structure.

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 controller which may obtain a reference image dataset of an object of interest (OOI); segment the reference image dataset to determine peripheral outlines of the OOI in the plurality image slices; acquire a current image of the OOI using an ultrasound probe; select a peripheral outline of a selected image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset which is determined to correspond to the current image; and/or modify the selected peripheral outline of the image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset in accordance with at least one deformation vector.

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: The invention relates to a calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element like a radiation source into an object, particularly for calibrating a brachytherapy system. First and second images show a longish introduction device (12) like a catheter and a tracking device (16) like an electromagnetically trackable guidewire inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and the introduction device and a calibration element (46) having the same dimensions as the influencing element and being inserted into the introduction device as far as possible. A spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element is determined based on the images for calibrating the system. Knowing this spatial relation allows accurately determining an influencing plan like a brachytherapy treatment plan and accurately positioning the influencing element in accordance with the influencing plan, which in turn allows for a more accurate influencing of the object.

Abstract: An intervention system employing an interventional device (10), and a sensor wire (20) manually translatable within the 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: 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: A system for selecting a calibration includes a data structure (138) including non-transitory computer readable storage media having a plurality of calibration entries stored therein and indexed to position and/or orientation criteria for a field generator. The field generator is configured for placement in an environment for sensor tracking. A calibration selection module (140) is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the field generator and, based on the position and/or orientation, determine, using the data structure, corresponding calibration information stored in the data structure. The calibration information is optimized based upon the position and/or orientation of the field generator.

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.