Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system apparatus for instrument tracking on a series of images. The method relates to performing instrument tracking on an image. The method comprises collecting at least one image and computing at least one of a position and orientation of at least one instrument for the at least one collected image. The method further relates to displaying at least one, some or all of the collected and computed data either separately or in any combination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an endoscope includes an endoscope system configured to acquire a first calibration image at a first calibration focal length and determine a radius of a first calibration image boundary corresponding to the first calibration focal length for the first calibration image, wherein the radius of the first calibration image boundary corresponds to a first calibration magnification of the endoscope. A clinical image is acquired at a clinical focal length, wherein the first calibration focal length is different than the clinical focal length and a radius of a clinical image boundary corresponding to the clinical focal length for the clinical image is determined, wherein the radius of the clinical image boundary corresponds to a clinical magnification of the endoscope. The radius of the first calibration image boundary is compared to the radius of the clinical image boundary to determine a change in magnification of the endoscope.

Abstract: A system for navigating an image-guided object through an imaged subject supported on table in relation to an image acquired by an image detector is provided. The system includes a first tracking element attached to the patient, and a second tracking element attached at the table. The first and second tracking elements define first and second coordinate systems. A controller is operable to register the second coordinate system with a third coordinate system defined by the image detector, measure a spatial relation between the first tracking element and the second tracking element, register the first coordinate system with the third local coordinate system defined by the image detector based on the spatial relation between the first and second tracking elements, and generating a composite image comprising a virtual image of the object in spatial relation to the image of the imaged subject acquired by the image detector.

Abstract: A system for navigating an image-guided object through an imaged subject supported on table in relation to an image acquired by an image detector is provided. The system includes a first tracking element attached to the patient, and a second tracking element attached at the table. The first and second tracking elements define first and second coordinate systems. A controller is operable to register the second coordinate system with a third coordinate system defined by the image detector, measure a spatial relation between the first tracking element and the second tracking element, register the first coordinate system with the third local coordinate system defined by the image detector based on the spatial relation between the first and second tracking elements, and generating a composite image comprising a virtual image of the object in spatial relation to the image of the imaged subject acquired by the image detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing metal artifact in image reconstruction. In at least one embodiment, the method for reducing metal artifacts in image reconstruction comprises collecting at least one uncalibrated image (an X-ray or fluoroscopic image for example) and calibrating the at least one uncalibrated image, forming at least one calibrated fluoroscopic image. A patient to transmitter transform is computed using at least the at least one calibrated image. A reconstructed volume is formed using at least a patient to transmitter transform. At least two of the at least one calibrated fluoroscopic image, the patient to transmitter transform and the reconstructed volume may be combined, forming at least one display image. This image may then be displayed, using a display device for example.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for calibrating an endoscope. The method includes acquiring a calibration image set, determining a calibration image boundary set for the calibration image set, acquiring a clinical image, and determining a clinical image boundary for the clinical image. The calibration image set includes at least one calibration image. The calibration image boundary set includes a calibration image boundary for each calibration image in the calibration image set.