Abstract: A Doppler ultrasound system for executing Doppler ultrasound tests. The Doppler ultrasound system employs an ultrasound probe (40), a vessel FORS sensor (20) and a Doppler ultrasound controller (60). In operation, an ultrasound probe (40) transmits an ultrasound beam through a bodily vessel (e.g., a blood vessel) for generating imaging data illustrative of an ultrasound image of fluid flow through the bodily vessel (e.g., blood flow through a blood vessel), and the vessel FORS sensor (20) is introduced into the bodily vessel for generating vessel sensing data informative of a reconstructed shape of the vessel FORS sensor (20) within the bodily vessel relative to the ultrasound probe (40). Responsive to the data, the Doppler ultrasound controller (60) estimates a parametric relationship between the fluid flow through the bodily vessel and a transmission by the ultrasound probe (40) of the ultrasound beam through the bodily vessel.

Abstract: There is presented a method 100 and apparatus 200 to measure the surface of the patient (thorax and abdominal regions), e.g., during therapy delivery and (if necessary) while imaging. Together with biomechanical considerations the position of internal structures of the patient, such as an organ, and optionally a tumor in an organ, is inferred from the measured patient surface. In case the patient breaths and thus the organ and/or tumor moves, the position may be determined, which may be advantageous during, e.g., radiation therapy, since it enables that whenever the tumor is at the right position according to the radiation therapy plan, the radiation is switched on. In a specific embodiment, a finite element model is employed.

Abstract: A registration system and method includes a configurable device (104) having one or more moveable features (122) such that movement of the moveable features can be determined relative to a reference to define a specific configuration of the configurable device. An imaging system (110) has a display on which the configurable device is viewable. A processing device (112) is configured to register the configurable device with a coordinate system of the imaging system based on the specific configuration of the configurable device.

Abstract: A fiber twist reduction system for optical shape sensing enabled instruments includes a rotatable launch fixture (12) configured to hold an optical fiber (28). An optical shape sensing enabled device (26) includes the optical fiber disposed therein. A rotation mechanism (14) is configured to rotate the fiber in response to a twist of the fiber to reduce accumulated twist along its length.

Abstract: A voxel tagging system (100) includes a sensing enabled device (104) having an optical fiber (126) configured to sense induced strain within the device (Bragg grating sensor). An interpretation module (112) is configured to receive signals from the optical fiber interacting with an internal organ, e.g. heart, and to interpret the signals to determine positions visited by the at least one optical fiber within the internal organ. A data source (152, 154) is configured to generate data associated with an event or status, e.g. respiration, ECG phase, time stamp, etc. A storage device (116) is configured to store a history (136) of the positions visited in the internal organ and associate the positions with the data generated by the data source (152, 154).

Abstract: A system for pulmonary elastography includes an ultrasound probe (120) configured to evaluate tissue of a target area by transmitting a signal and receiving a response. A contact device (126) is coupled to the ultrasound probe to provide contact between the ultrasound probe and the tissue. An image processing module (110) is configured to output one or more elastograms according to the response.

Abstract: An optical shape sensing system and method with at least two optical fibers (OSF1, OSF2) both comprising optical shape sensing elements. A processor (P) is arranged to register a coordinate system indicative of a position of one of the optical fibers (OSF1) in space, and to register a position (R2) of the other optical fiber (OSF2) in relation to this coordinate system. An optical console system (C, C1, C2) serves to interrogate the optical shape sensing elements in both optical fibers (OSF1, OSF2), and to accordingly determine a measure of a three-dimensional shape (I) of both optical fibers (OSF1, OSF2), based on the registered position (R2) of the second optical fiber (OSF2) in relation to the coordinate system. This provide the possibility of providing 3D optical shape sensing of the length of both optical fibers (OSF1, OSF2), thus allowing 3D shape reconstruction of e.g. long medical devices with lengths of several meters. More than two shape sensing optical fibers, e.g.

Abstract: A registration device includes an attachment piece (106) configured to conform with and attach to an imaging probe (102), in particular an internal or external ultrasound probe such as a TEE probe. A pathway (105) formed in or on the attachment piece is configured to receive an optical shape sensing device (OSS fiber) such that the optical shape sensing device can free float (no tip fixation) to permit longitudinal twisting within the pathway. The pathway includes a distinctive geometry for shaping the OSS device such that the distinctive geometry provides a template pattern (107) within an image collected using the imaging probe module to permit registration between imaging coordinates and OSS coordinates. A registration module (130) is configured to compare a stored shape template (121) with an image (134) including the template pattern to permit the registration (unique transformation).

Abstract: A shape sensing system includes a plurality of shape sensing enabled medical devices (118) each having at least one fiber (122). The system is preferably a system for shape sensed robotic ultrasound comprising an endoscope, an ultrasound probe, a medical device and a robot. An optical sensing module (130) is configured to receive optical signals from the at least one optical fiber and interpret the optical signals to provide shape sensing data for each of the plurality of shape sensing enabled medical devices. A registration module (134) is configured to register the plurality of shape sensing enabled medical devices together using the shape sensing data.

Abstract: A system for detecting instrument interaction with a surface includes a shape sensing enabled instrument (102) configured to pass along the surface. An interaction evaluation module (148) is configured to monitor shape sensing feedback from the instrument to determine modes of the shape sensing feedback that identify whether contact is made with the surface.

Abstract: An integrated optical shape sensing system and method include an arrangement structure (132) configured to receive a fiber port or connector. A platform (130) is configured to provide a distance relationship with the arrangement structure such that the fiber port or connector is trackable to provide a location reference. The platform secures a patient in proximity to the arrangement structure. An optical shape sensing enabled interventional instrument (102) has a first optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector. An optical interrogation module (108) is configured to collect optical feedback from the instrument and has a second optical fiber cable connectable to the fiber port or connector such that a known reference position is provided for accurate shape reconstruction.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: A system for accounting for electromagnetic (EM) distortion with an EM tracking system includes a sensor array (144) configured to sense EM energy in a target volume. An EM sensing correction module (140) is configured to analyze data from the sensor array to detect EM distorters in the target volume. The EM sensing correction module is further configured to compare distortion fingerprints stored in a database (142) to identify a distortion source.

Abstract: A system for providing a perspective for a virtual image includes an intraoperative imaging system (110) having a transducer (146) configured to generate an image data set for a region. A shape sensing enabled device (102) is configured to have at least a portion of the shape sensing enabled device positioned relative to the region. The shape sensing enabled device has a coordinate system registered with a coordinate system of the intraoperative imaging system. An image generation module (148) is configured to render a virtual image (152) of at least a portion of the region using the image data set wherein the virtual image includes a vantage point relative to a position on the shape sensing enabled device.

Abstract: There is presented a method 100 and apparatus 200 to measure the surface of the patient (thorax and abdominal regions), e.g., during therapy delivery and (if necessary) while imaging. Together with biomechanical considerations the position of internal structures of the patient, such as an organ, and optionally a tumor in an organ, is inferred from the measured patient surface. In case the patient breaths and thus the organ and/or tumor moves, the position may be determined, which may be advantageous during, e.g., radiation therapy, since it enables that whenever the tumor is at the right position according to the radiation therapy plan, the radiation is switched on. In a specific embodiment, a finite element model is employed.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: A launch fixture for optical shape sensing (OSS) includes a first fixation device (172) configured to receive and secure an optical fiber. A fiber storage area (174) is configured to receive and maintain the optical fiber within specified dimensions. A second fixation device (180) is configured to receive and secure a flexible OSS enabled instrument. A launch region (176) is configured to receive and maintain the optical fiber in a known geometric configuration before entering the second fixation device. A feature (184) is provided for aligning and coupling to a launch fixture base, which is configured to secure the launch fixture.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product hold and manipulate tools during an intervention procedure. The device comprises: a holder body in fixed attachment with a shape-sensing fiber optic fiber; one of a plurality of tools being held by the holder body in coupled alignment with the shape-sensing fiber optic fiber.

Abstract: A fiber twist reduction system for optical shape sensing enabled instruments includes a rotatable launch fixture (12) configured to hold an optical fiber (28). An optical shape sensing enabled device (26) includes the optical fiber disposed therein. A rotation mechanism (14) is configured to rotate the fiber in response to a twist of the fiber to reduce accumulated twist along its length.

Abstract: An OSS sound generation system employing an optical shape sensor (10), an optical shape sensor (10) controller, one or more audible devices (40) and a sound controller (30). In operation, the OSS controller (20) controls a generation by the optical shape sensor (10) of sensor data indicative of stimuli measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10). and the sound controller (30) interprets the sensor data to control a generation by the audible device(s) (40) of one or more sound(s) derived from the stimuli 3 measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10).