Abstract: A computer-implemented technique for a user-specific selection of a machine-trained model for determining an implant-related parameter. A set of different machine-trained models is provided. Each model is indicative of a dedicated implant-related parameter for a dedicated patient anatomy. The method may include receiving first patient image data indicative of a patient anatomy in which an implant is to be placed, and applying at least one first model from the set of models on the first patient image data to determine an implant-related parameter. The determined implant-related parameter is suggested to a dedicated user, and feedback is received from the user on the suggested implant-related parameter. The user feedback includes one of a confirmation of the suggested implant-related parameter and an adaptation thereof. At least one second model from the set of models that is to be applied on second patient image data may be selected, based on the user feedback.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical tool system, a surgical navigation system, and a method for operating a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker is configured to be associated with a patient or a surgical tool that is to be tracked by the surgical navigation system. The tracker comprises an optical fibre having a longitudinal extension and configured to be optically coupled to a light source such that the optical fibre transmits light emitted by the light source. The optical fibre has a lateral surface along its longitudinal extension and is configured to emit light via at least a portion of the lateral surface.

Abstract: A technique for processing patient-specific image data for computer assisted surgical navigation. A database is provided including multiple first data sets of two- or three-dimensional image data. Each first data set is representative of first shape data or first biometric data of a skin surface of at least one patient. The method further comprises obtaining, by an optical camera system, a second data set of two- or three-dimensional image data of a skin surface of a particular patient and deriving second shape data or second biometric data of the skin surface from the second data set. By comparing the second shape data or second biometric data with the first shape data or the first biometric data of one or more first data sets, a similarity score is calculated. A signal generated based on the similarity score triggers one of selection and de-selection of a first data set.

Abstract: A controller for a surgical navigation system is presented. The controller is configured to receive a position signal from a tracking system, wherein the position signal is indicative of a position of a hand-held surgical device that is tracked by the surgical navigation system inside an operation environment. The controller is further configured to receive sound signals from a plurality of microphones directed toward the operation environment, wherein the sound signals potentially contain one or more voice commands from one or more voice sources inside the operation environment. The controller is configured to process the sound signals dependent on the position signal.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical tool system, a surgical navigation system, and a method for operating a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker is configured to be associated with a patient or a surgical tool that is to be tracked by the surgical navigation system. The tracker comprises an optical fibre having a longitudinal extension and configured to be optically coupled to a light source such that the optical fibre transmits light emitted by the light source. The optical fibre has a lateral surface along its longitudinal extension and is configured to emit light via at least a portion of the lateral surface.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining fluid pressure in a fluid supply network having ultrasound transducers includes emitting an ultrasound signal from at least one ultrasound transducer and measuring at least one ultrasound time of flight of the signal in the fluid along an ultrasound measurement path. The flow velocity or a quantity proportional thereto or throughput is determined from the time of flight. The fluid pressure is determined from the time of flight aided by a mathematical compensation relating to at least one influence selected from a length or length change of the measurement path or a time of flight component or change thereof along the measurement path lying in or not lying in the fluid, or a fastening or position of the ultrasound transducer relative to the measurement path or a change thereof or a latency of signal processing or a change thereof or a throughput or change thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique of determining a trajectory defined by a guide wire or other elongated member is presented. A method implementation of the technique in one variant comprises obtaining image data representative of a guide wire placed in a bone, processing the image data to determine an extension of the guide wire, and selecting a portion of the guide wire extension. The method further comprises determining, from the selected portion of the guide wire extension, trajectory data indicative of a guide wire-defined trajectory.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program for determining a visualization of content to be displayed to a surgeon on a display of a portable display device are provided. First pose data indicative a first pose of an anatomical feature of a patient in an operating room and second pose data indicative of a second pose of a portable display device in the operating room are obtained. Based on the first pose data and the second pose data, a third pose of a surgeon relative to the patient is estimated. Based on the estimated third pose, a visualization of content to be displayed to the surgeon on a display of the portable display device is determined.

Abstract: A technique for determining a need for a re-registration of a patient tracker with medical image data of a patient is presented. The patient tracker comprises an acceleration sensor configured to generate inertial data indicative of an acceleration of the patient tracker. A method implementation of the technique comprises the following steps performed by a processor: receiving inertial data acquired by the acceleration sensor, analyzing the received inertial data, or data derived therefrom, with respect to at least one first predetermined condition indicative of a drift of the tracker or an impact on the tracker, and generating, when the at least one first predetermined condition is fulfilled, at least a first re-registration signal.

Abstract: A technique for determining a need for a re-registration of an optical patient tracker with medical image data of a patient is presented. A camera system is configured to generate camera image data for tracking the tracker. The camera system comprises an acceleration sensor configured to generate inertial data indicative of an acceleration of the camera system.

Abstract: A method for determining a scan region to be imaged by a medical image acquisition device is disclosed. The method is performed by at least one processor and comprises obtaining, for each of at least one surgical device, information indicative of one or more poses thereof. The method further includes selecting, based on the one or more poses, at least one anatomical element of a patient's body. The method further includes determining, based on the selected at least one anatomical element, a scan region to be imaged by a medical image acquisition device. An apparatus, a system and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating an ultrasonic fluid meter, preferably an ultrasonic water meter, in a fluid distribution network, includes using an ultrasonic transducer to generate an ultrasonic signal which passes through a measurement path, and determining a flow volume by using evaluation electronics on the basis of a transit time and/or a transit time difference of the ultrasonic signal. A hydraulic force change acting on the ultrasonic transducer through the fluid generates a voltage signal waveform on the ultrasonic transducer and the voltage signal waveform is tapped by the evaluation electronics. An ultrasonic fluid meter, preferably ultrasonic water meter, is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound flow measurement device has a vessel through which a fluid to be measured flows. An ultrasound measurement configuration with an ultrasound transducer is provided for measuring a propagation time of an ultrasound signal containing a plurality of periods along a measurement section that runs partly in a direction of flow. A controller determines a fluid flow on a basis of a propagation time measurement. The controller contains a memory, a first evaluator for determining a period duration of at least one of the periods of an ultrasound signal received after passing through the measurement section, a second evaluator for determining a spread value of a predetermined number of last received ultrasound signals, a comparator for comparing the spread value with a threshold value, and an actioning device for initiating a control action, assigned to the threshold value that has been exceeded, for the ultrasound flow measurement device.

Abstract: A flow measuring device detecting a fluid volume quantity since a start of a measurement includes a processing device determining a current flow rate parameter at measurement times using measurement data of a sensor, to increase a volume quantity based on a current flow rate parameter when operating in a first operating mode, and to keep the volume quantity constant when operating in a second mode. The processing device stores the current flow rate parameter for each measurement time in a data memory, resulting after several measuring times in storing previous flow rate parameters determined at these measuring times. Upon satisfying a switchover condition, depending on the current flow rate parameter, during operation in the second mode, the processing unit switches over to the first mode, and the volume quantity increases as a function of the current flow rate parameter and a predefined number of previous flow rate parameters.

Abstract: A technique is presented for computer-assisted planning of fastener placement in vertebrae that are to be stabilized by a pre-formed spinal rod, wherein two or more fasteners are to couple the rod to the vertebrae. At least one of a target shape of the spine and a shape of the pre-formed rod is defined in patient-specific shape data, a bone density of at least one of the vertebrae is defined in patient-specific bone density data, and patient-specific anatomical data are provided. A force distribution along a length of the rod may be calculated based on the shape data and the anatomical data. A planning result for fastener placement may be generated based on the bone density data of a given vertebra and the calculated force distribution.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and a surgical hybrid navigation system for transferring a registration of three dimensional image data of a surgical object from a first to a second surgical navigation system are described. A first tracker that is detectable by a first detector of the first surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object and a second tracker that is detectable by a second detector of the second surgical navigation system is arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with the surgical object. The method includes registering the three dimensional image data of the surgical object in a first coordinate system of the first surgical navigation system and determining a first position and orientation of the first tracker in the first coordinate system and a second position and orientation of the second tracker in a second coordinate system of the second surgical navigation system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for use in surgical navigation, the method being performed by a computing system. A first pose of a first tracker is determined in exactly four degrees of freedom, DOF, and a second pose of a second tracker is determined in exactly four DOF. Based on the first pose and the second pose, a third pose of a virtual tracker may be determined in six DOF. The virtual tracker has a fixed spatial relationship relative to the anatomical object in the six DOF of the third pose. A transformation between the third pose and a fourth pose of the anatomical object in six DOF in an image coordinate system of image data of the anatomical object may be determined or obtained. The present disclosure further relates to a computing system, a surgical navigation system and a computer program product.

Abstract: A technique of generating surgical information from intra-operatively acquired image data of vertebrae and pre-operatively acquired image data of the vertebrae is presented. A method implementation includes obtaining first image segments each containing a different vertebra, and second image segments each containing a different vertebra. The first image segments have been derived by processing the pre-operatively acquired image data, and the second image segments have been derived by processing the inter-operatively acquired image data. The method includes identifying one of the second image segments and one of the first image segments that contain the same vertebra, and determining a transformation that registers the identified first image segment and the identified second image segment. The method includes generating surgical information based on the transformation and the identified first image segment.

Abstract: A technique for processing patient-specific image data for computer assisted surgical navigation. A database is provided including multiple first data sets of two- or three-dimensional image data. Each first data set is representative of first shape data or first biometric data of a skin surface of at least one patient. The method further comprises obtaining, by an optical camera system, a second data set of two- or three-dimensional image data of a skin surface of a particular patient and deriving second shape data or second biometric data of the skin surface from the second data set. By comparing the second shape data or second biometric data with the first shape data or the first biometric data of one or more first data sets, a similarity score is calculated. A signal generated based on the similarity score triggers one of selection and de-selection of a first data set.