Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for inserting a surgical port to minimize trauma. The system includes an access port and a guiding mechanism on the distal end of the access port, wherein the guiding mechanism has an adaptive atraumatic tip. The system also includes an introducer probe with a handle on the proximal end of the introducer probe, an atraumatic tip on the distal end of the introducer probe and a flexible body for insertion through the access port, the flexible body comprising one or more bendable elbows along the length of the introducer probe, wherein the introducer slidably engages the interior of the surgical access port to define an access path. The method includes inserting an access port down a sulcal path, inserting an introducer probe through the access port, and navigating the sulcal path with the introducer to the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a suitable surgical location and/or trajectory for proceeding with a surgical procedure based on local polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging (PS-OCT). PS-OCT images are obtained of a tissue region and are processed to provide a spatial map of anisotropic structure within the tissue region. The anisotropic structure is processed to determine one or more suitable surgical locations and/or trajectories for avoiding or reducing damage to local anisotropic tissue structure identified within the tissue region. The spatial map of the anisotropic structure is registered with pre-operative volumetric image data identifying anisotropic tissue structure within a second tissue region that is larger than the tissue region imaged by PS-OCT.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a method for safe operation of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method including: determining, at least in part by using a sensor device, location information that indicates a location of an MR-incompatible object relative to the MRI system, the MRI system generating a polarizing magnetic field for imaging a subject; based on the determined location information, determining, by a control unit associated with the MRI system, that the MR-incompatible object poses an operational hazard to the MRI system; and in response to determining that the MR-incompatible object poses an operational hazard to the MRI system, reducing, by the control unit, a strength of the polarizing magnetic field.

Abstract: Optical probes for port-based corridor surgery are provided, including a device comprising: a surgical tool mounting adaptor configured for mounting to a surgical tool; an optical probe attached to the surgical tool mounting adaptor, the optical probe comprising: an optical interface end; an optical output end, distal the optical interface end, the optical output end comprising illumination optics and collection optics, the illumination optics configured to illuminate tissue proximal the optical output end, the collection optics configured to collect an optical signal from the tissue; one or more illumination optical fibers configured to convey illumination light from the optical interface end to the illumination optics; and, one or more collection optical fibers configured to convey the optical signal collected by the collection optics to the optical interface end.

Abstract: A system for illumination during a corridor based procedure is provided, comprising: a light source; and, an optical probe comprising: a tube having a distal end, a proximal end and one or more sidewalls there between, the optical probe and the light source arranged so that light from the light source is received by the one or more sidewalls, the one or more sidewalls configured to convey the light to the distal end, the distal end configured to receive the light and illuminate a sample adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A cognitive optical system for dynamically refining imaging during a medical procedure, involving a processor operable by a set of executable instructions storable in relation to a non-transitory memory device. The processor is configured to automatically adjust an image by automatically compensating for at least one external factor affecting an anatomical area being viewed, automatically adjusting at least one imaging parameter, and automatically adjusting at least one internal control of an optical chain, whereby a quality of the image is improvable in real time.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring an image at a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Accordingly, an analog signal based on a pulse sequence and a first gain is obtained. The analog signal is converted into a digitized signal. A potential quantization error is detected in the digitized signal based on a boundary. When the detection is affirmative, a replacement analog signal based on the pulse sequence is received. At least one portion of the replacement analog signal can be based on an adjusted gain. The adjusted gain is a factor of the first gain. The replacement analog signal is digitized into a replacement digitized signal. At least one portion of the replacement digitized signal corresponding to the at least one portion of the replacement analog signal is adjusted based on a reversal of the factor.

Abstract: A delta-relaxation magnetic resonance imaging (DREMR) system is provided. The system includes a main field magnet and field shifting coils. A main magnetic field with a strength B0 can be generated using the main filed magnet and the strength B0 of the main magnetic field can be varied through the use of the field-shifting coils. The DREMR system can be used to perform signal acquisition based on a pulse sequence for acquiring at least one of T2*-weighted signals imaging; MR spectroscopy signals; saturation imaging signals and MR signals for fingerprinting. The MR signal acquisition can be augmented by varying the strength B0 of the main magnetic field for at least a portion of the pulse sequence used to acquire the MR signal.

Abstract: A delta-relaxation magnetic resonance imaging (DREMR) system is provided. The system includes a main field magnet and field shifting coils. A main magnetic field with a strength B0 can be generated using the main filed magnet and the strength B0 of the main magnetic field can be varied through the use of the field-shifting coils. The DREMR system can be used to perform signal acquisition based on a pulse sequence for acquiring at least one of T2*-weighted signals imaging; MR spectroscopy signals; saturation imaging signals and MR signals for fingerprinting. The MR signal acquisition can be augmented by varying the strength B0 of the main magnetic field for at least a portion of the pulse sequence used to acquire the MR signal.

Abstract: Radio frequency (“RF”) coil assemblies for use in local magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) of tissues in a subject or patient in an intraoperative setting are provided. One or more RF coils are coupled to an absorbent member. A connecting element is coupled to the RF coil(s) or the absorbent member. When connected to the RF coil(s), the connecting element includes a wired connector that communicates signals between the RF coil(s) and an RF controller. The RF coil assemblies can be made to be disposable.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for imaging a target during a medical procedure. The imaging system includes an optical assembly including moveable zoom optics and moveable focus optics. The system includes a zoom actuator and a focus actuator for positioning the zoom and focus optics, respectively. The system includes a controller for controlling the zoom and focus actuators independently in response to received control input. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the target from the optical assembly. The system may be capable of performing autofocus during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A method of imaging an implant device in a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor interconnected with a memory and a display. The method includes, at the processor: obtaining a first magnetic resonance (MR) image of a patient tissue, the first MR image containing a first magnetic field strength indicator; responsive to the implant device being inserted in the patient tissue, obtaining a second MR image of the patient tissue, the second MR image containing a second magnetic field strength indicator smaller than the first magnetic field strength indicator; registering the second MR image with the first MR image; generating a composite image from the first MR image and the second MR image; and presenting the composite image on the display.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a method for safe operation of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the method including: determining, at least in part by using a sensor device, location information that indicates a location of an MR-incompatible object relative to the MRI system, the MRI system generating a polarizing magnetic field for imaging a subject; based on the determined location information, determining, by a control unit associated with the MRI system, that the MR-incompatible object poses an operational hazard to the MRI system; and in response to determining that the MR-incompatible object poses an operational hazard to the MRI system, reducing, by the control unit, a strength of the polarizing magnetic field.

Abstract: A method in a computing device for quantitative surgical image registration includes: prior to a surgical procedure, obtaining, using a first imaging modality, a preoperative image of patient tissue and a plurality of preoperative measurements of a material property of the patient tissue. The preoperative measurements correspond to respective points in the preoperative image. The method includes storing the preoperative image and the preoperative measurements, and during the surgical procedure, using a second imaging modality, capturing an intraoperative image of the patient tissue and a second plurality of intraoperative measurements of the material property of the patient tissue. The intraoperative measurements correspond to respective points in the intraoperative image.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a sensored surgical tool, and surgical intraoperative tracking and imaging system incorporating same. In one embodiment, the surgical tool comprises a rigid elongate tool body having a substantially rigid tool tip to be displaced and tracked within the surgical cavity so to reproducibly locate the tool tip within the cavity. The tool further comprises one or more tool tip cameras and/or pressure sensors operatively disposed along the body at or proximal to the tool tip.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a suitable surgical location and/or trajectory for proceeding with a surgical procedure based on local polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging (PS-OCT). PS-OCT images are obtained of a tissue region and are processed to provide a spatial map of anisotropic structure within the tissue region. The anisotropic structure is processed to determine one or more suitable surgical locations and/or trajectories for avoiding or reducing damage to local anisotropic tissue structure identified within the tissue region. The spatial map of the anisotropic structure is registered with pre-operative volumetric image data identifying anisotropic tissue structure within a second tissue region that is larger than the tissue region imaged by PS-OCT.

Abstract: A method of automatically evaluating resection accuracy, is provided. The method includes preoperatively obtaining a first image of a volume of patient tissue using an imaging modality configured according to a scanning parameter, and storing the scanning parameter. An identifier of a target region corresponding to a target portion of the volume is received and stored in association with the first image. A second image is obtained of a resected tissue sample from the volume, using the imaging modality configured according to the scanning parameter. Based on a comparison of the first image and the second image, a determination is made whether the entire target region is represented in the second image. The method includes controlling an output device to present an indication, based on the determination, of whether the tissue sample contains the entire target portion.

Abstract: A surgical imaging system is described. The system includes first and second optical assemblies. Each optical assembly defines a respective optical axis, and each includes a respective set of one or more optics for adjusting field-of-view (FOV) and focus and a respective camera for capturing an image. The system includes a controller for controlling the optical assemblies and for switching the surgical imaging system between a coupled configuration and an uncoupled configuration. In the coupled configuration, the first optical assemblies are controlled to adjust the respective sets of optics and/or the respective optical axes in dependence on each other. In the uncoupled configuration, the optical assemblies are controlled to adjust the respective sets of optics, and the respective optical axes independently of each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for measuring tissue deformation during an invasive medical procedure. A device is provided comprising a flexible fiber having a proximal end and a distal end; at least one sensor embedded in the flexible fiber; a rigid mount having a transverse opening for the flexible fiber; a mechanism for inserting the flexible fiber into a tissue; a detector for receiving information from the sensor; and a tracking system for receiving information from the detector to calculate the sensor location.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The system includes a solenoid magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field and an annular coil assembly housed within at least a portion of the solenoid magnet. The coil assembly includes a gradient coil, wherein the annular coil assembly has an aperture formed therein.