Abstract: A method for minimally invasive laser ablation of a target tissue within a patient while sparing tissue within a safety zone proximate to the target tissue, comprising: guiding a laser fiber within a patient with a guidance tool; measuring a temperature within the target tissue and the safety zone based on an invasive and a non-invasive thermal sensor; computing a thermal profile in conjunction with a real-time tissue image adapted for guidance of the laser fiber with the guidance tool within the patient; and controlling a laser to deliver energy through the laser fiber, to deliver a minimally therapeutic ablation therapy to the target tissue while ensuring that the safety zone is maintained in a non-ablation condition, based on at least a treatment plan, the measured temperature, and the thermal profile.

Abstract: A method for minimally invasive laser ablation of a target tissue within a patient while sparing tissue within a safety zone proximate to the target tissue, comprising: guiding a laser fiber within a patient with a guidance tool; measuring a temperature within the target tissue and the safety zone based on an invasive and a non-invasive thermal sensor; computing a thermal profile in conjunction with a real-time tissue image adapted for guidance of the laser fiber with the guidance tool within the patient; and controlling a laser to deliver energy through the laser fiber, to deliver a minimally therapeutic ablation therapy to the target tissue while ensuring that the safety zone is maintained in a non-ablation condition, based on at least a treatment plan, the measured temperature, and the thermal profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally-invasive image-guided laser ablation of targeted region within a tissue or organ comprising the following: A guidance tool that can guide laser source to a predefined target region from a planning image; A controller that can control energy from laser source, duration of its application and dosage of energy from laser source; and a computer with software that can compute thermometry based on precise location and duration of application or dosage of the laser source. The computer receives signal from controller and can control or shut-off laser energy.

Abstract: A system and method combines information from a plurality of medical imaging modalities, such as PET, CT, MRI, MRSI, Ultrasound, Echo Cardiograms, Photoacoustic Imaging and Elastography for a medical image guided procedure, such that a pre-procedure image using one of these imaging modalities, is fused with an intra-procedure imaging modality used for real time image guidance for a medical procedure for any soft tissue organ or gland such as prostate, skin, heart, lung, kidney, liver, bladder, ovaries, and thyroid, wherein the soft tissue deformation and changes between the two imaging instances are modeled and accounted for automatically.

Abstract: A method for minimally invasive laser ablation of a target tissue within a patient while sparing tissue within a safety zone proximate to the target tissue, comprising: guiding a laser fiber within a patient with a guidance tool; measuring a temperature within the target tissue and the safety zone based on an invasive and a non-invasive thermal sensor; computing a thermal profile in conjunction with a real-time tissue image adapted for guidance of the laser fiber with the guidance tool within the patient; and controlling a laser to deliver energy through the laser fiber, to deliver a minimally therapeutic ablation therapy to the target tissue while ensuring that the safety zone is maintained in a non-ablation condition, based on at least a treatment plan, the measured temperature, and the thermal profile.