Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which devices that are employed during a medical procedure are adaptively configured during the medical procedure, based on input or feedback that is associated with the current state, phase or context of the medical procedure. In some example embodiments, the input is obtained via the identification of one or more medical instruments present within a region of interest, and this input may be employed to determine configuration parameters for configuring the device. In other example embodiments, the input may be based on the image-based detection of a measure associated with the phase or context of the medical procedure, and this input may be employed to adaptively control the device based on the inferred context or phase of the medical procedure. In other embodiments, images from one imaging modality may be employed to adaptively switch to another imaging modality.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The apparatus comprises a handle portion located near the proximal end of the apparatus, a supporting arm attached to the proximal end of the apparatus, the supporting arm having a tracking marker, a flexible tip portion located at the distal end of the apparatus, and a plurality of sensors located on the outer surface of the apparatus. The plurality of sensors each provides a signal representing information that is useable for determining deformation of the flexible tip portion. The apparatus may be either a sheath for covering a medical tool or the apparatus may be a medical tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing an evolvable tissue model of a patient and, using this model, modelling physical transformations of the tissue (e.g. deformation) of the tissue model by interacting the tissue model with influence models which model interactions with the tissue such as surgical instruments, pressure, swelling, temperature changes etc. The model is produced from a set of input data of the tissue which includes directional information of the tissue. The directional information is used to produce an oriented tissue map. A tissue model is then produced from the oriented tissue map such that the tissue model reflects the directionality of the tissue component. When the tissue model is subjected to an influence that causes tissue deformation over a period of time, the tissue model directionally deforms over the period of time in a manner which reflects a trajectory of the influence interacting with the directionality of the tissue component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for dynamic validation, correction of registration for surgical navigation during medical procedures on a patient which involves confirmation of registration between one or more previously registered virtual objects, such as surgical tools etc. in a common coordinate frame of a surgical navigation system and an operating room, and intra-operatively acquired imaging during the medical procedure in the common coordinate frame. The method includes displaying intra-operatively acquired imaging of the surgical field containing the one or more real objects corresponding to the one or more previously registered virtual objects, with the real objects being tracked by a tracking system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the navigation system imports a planning method using patient specific pre-operative images. The navigation system uses intraoperative imaging during the medical procedure to update the preoperative images and provides images of tracked surgical tools along the surgical path prepared from the preoperative images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transforming a displayed three-dimensional image corresponding to a position and orientation of a field of view of an imaging probe. A three dimensional image of a tissue in a first co-ordinate space can be displayed. A field of view of an imaging probe in a second co-ordinate space can be configured, where the imaging probe has a plurality of transmitters removably connected to it, the transmitters operable to determine the position and orientation of the field of view relative to the positions of the transmitters in the second co-ordinate space. The first and second co-ordinate spaces can be co-registered, and the position and orientation of the field of view in the second co-ordinate space can be transformed to the first co-ordinate space. The three-dimensional image can be displayed to correspond to the transformed position and orientation of the field of view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transforming a displayed three-dimensional image corresponding to a position and orientation of a field of view of an imaging probe. A three dimensional image of a tissue in a first co-ordinate space can be displayed. A field of view of an imaging probe in a second co-ordinate space can be configured, where the imaging probe has a plurality of transmitters removably connected to it, the transmitters operable to determine the position and orientation of the field of view relative to the positions of the transmitters in the second co-ordinate space. The first and second co-ordinate spaces can be co-registered, and the position and orientation of the field of view in the second co-ordinate space can be transformed to the first co-ordinate space. The three-dimensional image can be displayed to correspond to the transformed position and orientation of the field of view.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for illuminating tissue with monochromatic or broadband light and imaging light that has been reflected back from the tissue. Imaging may be white-light imaging or hyperspectral imaging. The system can be a stand-alone hyperspectral imaging system, integrated as part of an external video scope, or as an auxiliary imaging module on an external videoscope. Various elements of a video scope that is particularly suited for minimally invasive surgery is first presented and then its configurations suitable for hyperspectral imaging are explained.

Abstract: A medical navigation system having a surgical pointer is provided. The surgical pointer is used in the medical navigation system. The surgical pointer comprises an external sheath and an internal tool having a proximal end and a distal end. The internal tool is contained at least partially within the external sheath. The internal tool has a tip at the distal end that extends beyond the external sheath. The tip engages a surface of a patient. The internal tool further has a tracking marker trackable by the navigation system. The surgical pointer further has a linking component contained at least partially within the external sheath and interfacing with the internal tool. The linking component is configured to control pressure exerted by the tip on the surface of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for substantially immobilizing a breast for use in medical imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for substantially immobilizing a breast is provided, including a first support member connected to a first and second base, the bases capable of engagement with the torso of a patient, the first support member defining an inner area substantially covered by a first membrane. A corresponding second support member, defining a second inner area substantially covered by a second membrane, is engageable to the first support member such that the inner areas are substantially aligned to substantially immobilize a breast, the membranes defining a pocket to receive a breast.

Abstract: A patient support structure for positioning a selected anatomy of interest for imaging in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner is disclosed. The structure includes a receptacle for receiving a removable tray that includes connectors for connecting local RF coils housed in the array to the MRI scanner, and connectors for positioning the local RF coils adjacent an area of interest to be imaged. A structure for elevating the patient support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe apparatus is described. The MRI imaging probe includes a coil section having an imaging coil, and a handle section connected to the coil section. The handle section having a phase shifter circuit with inductors, capacitors, and coax line electrically connected and configured to provide appropriate phase shift. The handle section further having a coaxial cable winding electrically connected to the imaging coil, and wound cylindrically, and having a slot therethrough between the ends of the cylindrical winding. The handle section further having a pre-amp circuit mounted on a substrate and electrically connected to the cylindrical coax winding.

Abstract: An intervention apparatus is described having a probe with an orifice insertion portion, the insertion portion being configured for insertion into an orifice of a patient. The apparatus also having an intervention tool securement and adjustment mechanism removably attached to the probe. The probe providing support to hold the mechanism in a position relative to the patient, and the adjustment mechanism providing adjustment of an entry point and an angle of entry for an intervention tool to the patient. In embodiments, magnetic resonance imaging, trans-orifice intervention and transperineal intervention are described. Methods for imaging and/or intervention are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transforming a displayed three-dimensional image corresponding to a position and orientation of a field of view of an imaging probe. A three dimensional image of a tissue in a first co-ordinate space can be displayed. A field of view of an imaging probe in a second co-ordinate space can be configured, where the imaging probe has a plurality of transmitters removably connected to it, the transmitters operable to determine the position and orientation of the field of view relative to the positions of the transmitters in the second co-ordinate space. The first and second co-ordinate spaces can be co-registered, and the position and orientation of the field of view in the second co-ordinate space can be transformed to the first co-ordinate space. The three-dimensional image can be displayed to correspond to the transformed position and orientation of the field of view.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for substantially immobilizing a breast for use in medical imaging. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for substantially immobilizing a breast is provided, including a first support member connected to a first and second base, the bases capable of engagement with the torso of a patient, the first support member defining an inner area substantially covered by a first membrane. A corresponding second support member, defining a second inner area substantially covered by a second membrane, is engageable to the first support member such that the inner areas are substantially aligned to substantially immobilize a breast, the membranes defining a pocket to receive a breast.

Abstract: An instrument for verification of presence of image enhancing, contrasting agent in a biopsy sample which was obtained by imaging the lesion area with an imaging modality which is sensitive to the contrasting agent. In one embodiment of the invention, an optical spectrometer is used to analyze biopsy samples for the presence of gadolinium enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrasting agent which typically pools in breast tumors.

Abstract: A patient support structure for positioning a selected anatomy of interest for imaging in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner is disclosed. The structure includes a receptacle for receiving a removable tray that includes connectors for connecting local RF coils housed in the array to the MRI scanner, and connectors for positioning the local RF coils adjacent an area of interest to be imaged. A structure for elevating the patient support is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition assembly for acquiring images using electromagnetic radiation and an imaging station are provided for use in imaging a breast using both magnetic resonance imaging techniques and electromagnetic radiation techniques. The acquisition assembly includes an elevating platform to which an electromagnetic source and detector are mounted, rendering the source and detector selectively positionable around a breast for electromagnetic imaging such as XRM or PET. The source and detector can be mounted to a rotatable disk to allow for imaging the breast from various angles, and can also be offset from vertical to allow other imaging configurations.

Abstract: A system of interchangeable specialized tabletops for medical imaging, such as tomographic imaging, is constructed with features that permit improvements in patient imaging and treatment specific to a particular anatomy of interest. Such features include cutaways, holes and removable structures, ramps and integrated devices that allow access to tissues for intervention or imaging under multiple imaging modalities. Such features are also integrated, which aids in the positioning and immobilization of patient tissues and devices relative to those tissues. Structures and methods optimally use multiple tabletops with minimal space requirements, and of show medical imaging uses involving the storage of multiple tabletops.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.