Abstract: A tissue mapping system includes: an imaging stylet, a stylet-deploying mechanism, and a system console with data-processing capability. This tissue mapping system calculates, in-real time, a position of the stylet during tissue imaging and sensing. This position is then used to combine and re-map image and sensor data acquired by the stylet from different regions of the mapped tissue. The stylet is configured to acquire image data within its vicinity when inserted in a tissue, and also has a sensing region along a flexible distal portion of its length. The stylet-deploying mechanism inserts the stylet in different regions of the mapped tissue iteratively. The stylet-deploying mechanism also incorporates features for registering the position of the stylet by using strain sensing or image data. The system console communicates with the stylet to calculate the position of the stylet by using intra-operative tissue image data and distributed strain data within the sensing region of the stylet.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: an endoscopic subsystem, a medical instrument, an imaging stylet; and a system console with data-processing capability. This image-guided system calculates, in-real time, a position of the instrument relative to a target within patient body to guide and control accurate placement of the instrument to the target. The stylet is configured to acquire image data intra-operatively. In addition, the stylet has a sensing region along a flexible distal portion of its length. The system console communicates with the stylet to calculate the position of the instrument inside a patient by using intra-operative image data of surrounding tissue acquired by the stylet, distributed strain data measured by the console within the sensing region of the stylet, and preoperative image data of the patient anatomy.

Abstract: Image-guided systems and methods for enhanced medical tool tracking and guidance, virtual three-dimensional imaging, and enhanced fields of view. The system includes an imaging probe configured for side-view imaging. The guide sheath includes elongated flexible body and a channel configured to accept the imaging probe and a medical tool. The image console is configured to process imaging energy acquired by the image probe during side-view imaging to generate image data and calculate a global position of a distal end of the imaging probe or a distal end of the medical tool relative to a target in a tissue during imaging of the tissue using any one of 1D, 2D, and 3D sub-sets of the image data despite the target being located outside of fields of view of the imaging probe and not directly visualized by the imaging probe.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging and monitoring a target while a separate radiation is applied to treat the target.

Abstract: Optical devices and techniques for imaging and measuring targeted objects, e.g., tissues.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging, monitoring, medical diagnostics and medical treatment applications.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for thermotherapy based on optical imaging.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging and monitoring a target while a separate radiation is applied to treat the target.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for thermotherapy based on optical imaging.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging and monitoring a target while a separate radiation is applied to treat the target.

Abstract: Optical devices and techniques for imaging and measuring targeted objects, e.g., tissues.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a surface of a semiconductor workpiece comprises providing a surface inspection system and using the surface inspection apparatus to cause laser light to impinge upon a test location on the workpiece surface and thereby cause the laser light to emerge from the surface as returned light comprising at least one of reflected light and scatter light; collecting the returned light and generating a signal from the returned and collected light, the signal comprising a signal value representative of a characteristic of the workpiece surface at the test location; providing a plurality of threshold candidates and causing the surface inspection system to select a threshold from among the plurality of threshold candidates; comparing the threshold to the signal value to obtain a difference value; using the difference value to assess the characteristic of the workpiece surface at the test location; and using the surface inspection system to automatically cause the method to be repeated fo

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging, monitoring, medical diagnostics and medical treatment applications.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging, monitoring, medical diagnostics and medical treatment applications.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging and monitoring a target while a separate radiation is applied to treat the target.