Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer is configured for one-way only beamforming of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for registering three-dimensional images with two-dimensional intra-operative images includes segmenting (24) a tubular structured organ in a three-dimensional image of the organ, and projecting (26) the three-dimensional image of the organ into two-dimensional space to provide a projected image. A medical instrument depicted in a two-dimensional image of the medical instrument is segmented (28). A similarity score is computed between the projected image and a shape of the medical instrument depicted in the two-dimensional image to determine a best match. The projected image is registered (30) to the two-dimensional image based on the best match.

Abstract: A brachytherapy system for a target region includes an applicator having a plurality of channels that are hollow, where the applicator is implanted in the target region. The system further includes a tracking device, a tracking signal generator to generate a signal received by the tracking device, and a processor. The tracking device has a size and shape to be advanced and retracted through at least a portion of the plurality of channels. The processor can determine a position of one or more of the plurality of channels based on a movement of the tracking device. The processor can further determine the location of the plurality of channels in the images based on the position measurements from the tracking device.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory by a localizer and registration unit which determines a baseline transform which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform. An image adjustment processor or program (operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform and the motion correction transform, to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display.

Abstract: A telescopic endoscope employing a primary endoscope (30, 50) having a instrument channel, a miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) deployed within the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50), and an endoscope tracker including one or more sensors (32, 61) and one or markers (41, 52) for sensing any portion of the miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) extending from a distal end of the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50).

Abstract: A deployment device (30) for interfacing an implantable device (20) with an anatomical structure (10) employs a sheath (31), a shape sensor (32) and a detachment tool (33). The sheath (31) includes a deployment section (31a) for deploying the implantable device (20) to an interface position relative to the anatomical structure (10), and an implantable section (31b) for coupling the deployment section (31a) to the implantable device (20). The shape sensor (32) guides the implantable device (20) to the interface position and includes a deployment segment (32a) extending partially or completely through the deployment section (31a), and an implantable segment (32b) attached to the deployment segment (32a) and extending partially or completely through the implantable section (31b) of the sheath (31).

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A brachytherapy method and apparatus include implanting an applicator having at least one radiation source or seed receiving channel (62) into soft tissue adjacent a target region (40) to be irradiated. A high resolution planning image (64) of the target region including the applicator is generated, wherein the high resolution planning image is used for determining a three-dimensional treatment plan (66). A position of the applicator is tracked relative to the target region (40) and the treatment plan (66). Tracking the position includes measuring, via shape-sensing, a location and shape of the at least one radiation source or seed receiving channel (62).

Abstract: A system and method for registering three-dimensional images with two-dimensional intra-operative images includes segmenting (24) a tubular structured organ in a three-dimensional image of the organ, and projecting (26) the three-dimensional image of the organ into two-dimensional space to provide a projected image. A medical instrument depicted in a two-dimensional image of the medical instrument is segmented (28). A similarity score is computed between the projected image and a shape of the medical instrument depicted in the two-dimensional image to determine a best match. The projected image is registered (30) to the two-dimensional image based on the best match.

Abstract: An optical guidewire system employs an optical guidewire (10), an optical guidewire controller (12), a guide interface (13) and an optical connector (15). The optical guidewire (10) is for advancing a catheter (20) to a target region relative to a distal end of the optical guidewire (10), wherein the optical guidewire (10) includes one or more guidewire fiber cores (11) for generating an encoded optical signal (16) indicative of a shape of the optical guidewire (10). The optical guidewire controller (12) is responsive to the encoded optical signal (16) for reconstructing the shape of the optical guidewire (10). The guidewire interface (13) includes one or more interface fiber core(s) (14) optically coupled to the optical guidewire controller (12). The optical connector (15) facilitates a connection, disconnection and reconnection of the optical guidewire (10) to the guidewire interface (13) that enables a backloading the catheter (20) on the optical guidewire (10).

Abstract: A system and methods for adaptive placement of a treatment element include a placement device (134), and a localization system (120) configured to track progress of the placement device such that a position of a treatment element (146, 132) placed by or to be placed by the placement device is stored in memory. A computer system (142) includes a program (104) implemented in computer readable storage media and configured to compute an effect of the treatment element at the position and determine whether a dosage amount has been achieved by the treatment element for treatment of an organ.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ultrasound receive beamformer (212) is configured for one-way only beamforming (112) of transmissive ultrasound using one-way delays. The receive beamforming in some embodiments is used to track, in real time, a catheter, needle or other surgical tool within an image of a region of interest. The tool can have embedded at its tip a small ultrasound transmitter or receiver for transmitting or receiving the transmissive ultrasound. Optionally, additional transducers are fixed along the tool to provide the orientation of the tool.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory (20) is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory (12) by a localizer and registration unit (30) which determines a baseline transform (Tbase) which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner (22) which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit (30) compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform (Tmotion). An image adjustment processor or program (32) operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform (Tbase) and the motion correction transform (Tmotion), to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display (74).

Abstract: A system and method for accounting for motion of a target in a medical procedure includes an endoscope (302) including a tracking mechanism (304) for tracking positions and orientations of the endoscope. Memory storage (310) is configured to record the positions of the endoscope when positioned at or near moving target tissue. A motion sensor (312) is configured to track cyclical motion of an organ such that the cyclical motion of the organ can be correlated to the recorded positions of the endoscope and the target tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for image-based registration between images locating (304) a feature in a pre-operative image and comparing (307) real-time images taken with a tracked scope with the pre-operative image taken of the feature to find a real-time image that closely matches the pre-operative image. A closest match real-time image is registered (308) to the pre-operative image to determine a transformation matrix between a position of the pre-operative image and a position of the real-time image provided by a tracker such that the transformation matrix permits tracking real-time image coordinates using the tracker in pre-operative image space.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a position of an imaging device include a guided imaging device (102) configured to return images of internal passageways to a display (124). A processing module (114) is configured to recognize patterns from the images and employ image changes to determine motion undergone by the imaging device such that a position of the imaging device is determined solely from information received from images obtained internally in the passageways and general knowledge of the passageways.

Abstract: A brachytherapy system for a target region (200) can include an applicator (100) having a plurality of channels (110) that are hollow where the applicator is implanted in the target region, a tracking device (175), a tracking signal generator (180) to generate a signal received by the tracking device, and a processor (550). The tracking device can have a size and shape to be advanced and retracted through at least a portion of the plurality of channels. The processor can determine a position of one or more of the plurality of channels based on a movement of the tracking device. The processor can determine the location of the plurality of channels in the images based on the position measurements from the tracking device.

Abstract: A method for utilizing plastic deformation resulting from grain boundary sliding with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques. The method also allows for the formation of transparent joints between two subunits of a construct joined via plastic deformation. The method can be used to tailor residual stresses and maintain native porosity.

Abstract: A method for utilizing superplastic deformation with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques.

Abstract: A method for utilizing plastic deformation resulting from grain boundary sliding with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques. The method also allows for the formation of transparent joints between two subunits of a construct joined via plastic deformation. The method can be used to tailor residual stresses and maintain native porosity.