Abstract: The present teaching relates to a method and system for path planning. Information of a current pose of a robotic arm having a plurality of operable segments is obtained. The information includes a plurality of values, each of which corresponds to an angle formed between consecutive operable segments of the robotic arm. A desired pose where the robotic arm needs to reach is also obtained. An angle step-value is computed for the current pose of the robotic arm based on a function of a distance between the current pose and the desired pose, wherein the angle step value is to be used to determine a plurality of candidate next poses of the plurality of operable segments. One or more of candidate next poses is selected based on at least one criterion, and a trajectory is determined from the current pose to the desired pose based on the selected next poses.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for estimating 3D coordinate of a 3D virtual model. Two pairs of feature points are obtained. Each of the pairs includes a respective 2D feature point on an organ observed in a 2D image, acquired during a medical procedure, and a respective corresponding 3D feature point from a 3D virtual model, constructed for the organ prior to the procedure based on a plurality of images of the organ. The depths of the first and the second 3D feature points are substantially the same. A first 3D coordinate of the first 3D feature point and a second 3D coordinate of the second 3D feature point are automatically determined based on the pairs of feature points so that a first distance between the determined first 3D coordinate and the determined second 3D coordinate equals to a second distance between a first actual 3D coordinate of the first 3D feature point and a second actual 3D coordinate of the second 3D feature point in the 3D virtual model.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for robot path planning. Depth data of obstacles, acquired by depth sensors deployed in a 3D robot workspace and represented with respect to a sensor coordinate system, is transformed into depth data with respect to a robot coordinate system. The 3D robot workspace is discretized to generate 3D grid points representing a discretized 3D robot workspace. Based on the depth data with respect to the robot coordinate system, binarized values are assigned to at least some of 3D grid points to generate a binarized representation for the obstacles present in the 3D robot workspace. With respect to one or more sensing points associated with a part of a robot, it is determined whether the part is to collide with any obstacle. Based on the determining, a path is planned for the robot to move along while avoiding any obstacle.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to a method and system for path planning. A target is tracked via one or more sensors. Information of a desired pose of an end-effector with respect to the target and a current pose of the end-effector is obtained. Also, a minimum distance permitted between an arm including the end-effector and each of at least one obstacle identified between the current pose of the end-effector and the target is obtained. A weighting factor previously learned is retrieved and a cost based on a cost function is computed in accordance with a weighted smallest distance between the arm including the end-effector and the at least one obstacle, wherein the smallest distance is weighted by the weighting factor. A trajectory is computed from the current pose to the desired pose by minimizing the cost function.

Abstract: A method, system, medium, and implementations for computer-aided preoperative surgical planning are described. Input data acquired with respect to a part of a patient is received by the system. The part corresponds to an organ, e.g., lung, of the patient to be operated on and includes one or more lesions to be removed during an operation. Then, an anatomic 3D model of the part of the patient is generated. Based on the generated anatomic 3D model, a preoperative plan for linear-cutting stapler resection of the one or more lesions from the organ to be carried out during the operation is obtained. The stapler cartridge size and the staple length are estimated based on the preoperative plan. Further, the resection based on the preoperative plan is visualized.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for estimating 3D coordinate of a 3D virtual model. Two pairs of feature points are obtained. Each of the pairs includes a respective 2D feature point on an organ observed in a 2D image, acquired during a medical procedure, and a respective corresponding 3D feature point from a 3D virtual model, constructed for the organ prior to the procedure based on a plurality of images of the organ. The depths of the first and the second 3D feature points are substantially the same. A first 3D coordinate of the first 3D feature point and a second 3D coordinate of the second 3D feature point are automatically determined based on the pairs of feature points so that a first distance between the determined first 3D coordinate and the determined second 3D coordinate equals to a second distance between a first actual 3D coordinate of the first 3D feature point and a second actual 3D coordinate of the second 3D feature point in the 3D virtual model.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to a method and system for path planning. A target is tracked via one or more sensors. Information of a desired pose of an end-effector with respect to the target and a current pose of the end-effector is obtained. Also, a minimum distance permitted between an arm including the end-effector and each of at least one obstacle identified between the current pose of the end-effector and the target is obtained. A weighting factor previously learned is retrieved and a cost based on a cost function is computed in accordance with a weighted smallest distance between the arm including the end-effector and the at least one obstacle, wherein the smallest distance is weighted by the weighting factor. A trajectory is computed from the current pose to the desired pose by minimizing the cost function.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for estimating 3D coordinate of a 3D virtual model. Two pairs of feature points are obtained. Each of the pairs includes a respective 2D feature point on an organ observed in a 2D image, acquired during a medical procedure, and a respective corresponding 3D feature point from a 3D virtual model, constructed for the organ prior to the procedure based on a plurality of images of the organ. The first and the second 3D feature points have different depths. A 3D coordinate of a 3D feature point is determined based on the pairs of feature points so that a projection of the 3D virtual model from the 3D coordinate substantially matches the organ observed in the 2D image.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for fusing a 3D virtual model with a 2D image associated with an organ of a patient. A key-pose is determined as an approximate position and orientation of a medical instrument with respect to the patient's organ. Based on the key-pose, an overlay is generated on a 2D image of the patient's organ, acquired by the medical instrument, by projecting the 3D virtual model on to the 2D image. A pair of feature points includes a 2D feature point from the 2D image and a corresponding 3D feature point from the 3D virtual model. The 3D coordinate of the 3D feature point is determined based on the 2D coordinate of the 2D feature point. The depth of the 3D coordinate is on a line of sight of the 2D feature point and is determined so that the projection of the 3D virtual model from the depth creates an overlay approximately matching the organ observed in the 2D image.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure planning. In one example, at least one 3D object contained in a 3D volume is rendered on a display screen. The at least one 3D object includes a 3D object corresponding to an organ. First information related to a 3D pose of a surgical instrument positioned with respect to the at least one 3D object is received from a user. A 3D representation of the surgical instrument is rendered in the 3D volume based on the first information. Second information related to a setting of the surgical instrument is received from the user. A 3D treatment zone in the 3D volume with respect to the at least one 3D object is estimated based on the first and second information. The 3D treatment zone in the 3D volume is visualized on the display screen. Controls associated with the 3D representation of the surgical instrument and/or the 3D treatment zone are provided to facilitate the user to dynamically adjust the 3D treatment zone via the controls.

Abstract: A method, implemented on a machine having at least one processor, storage, and a communication platform capable of connecting to a network for characterizing a tumor embedded inside a medium, comprising: measuring at least one of a mechanical property and a spectral property of the tumor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to robot path planning. Depth information of a plurality of obstacles in an environment of a robot are obtained at a first time instance. A static distance map is generated based on the depth information. A path is computed for the robot based on the static distance map. At a second time instant, depth information of one or more obstacles is obtained. A dynamic distance map is generated based on the one or more obstacles, wherein for each obstacle that satisfies a condition: a vibration range of the obstacle is computed based on a position of the obstacle and the static distance map, and the obstacle is classified as a dynamic obstacle or a static obstacle based on a criterion associated with the vibration range. A repulsive speed of the robot is computed based on the dynamic distance map to avoid the dynamic obstacles.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure planning. In one example, at least one 3D object contained in a 3D volume is rendered on a display screen. The at least one 3D object includes a 3D object corresponding to an organ. First information related to a 3D pose of a surgical instrument positioned with respect to the at least one 3D object is received from a user. A 3D representation of the surgical instrument is rendered in the 3D volume based on the first information. Second information related to a setting of the surgical instrument is received from the user. A 3D treatment zone in the 3D volume with respect to the at least one 3D object is estimated based on the first and second information. The 3D treatment zone in the 3D volume is visualized on the display screen. Controls associated with the 3D representation of the surgical instrument and/or the 3D treatment zone are provided to facilitate the user to dynamically adjust the 3D treatment zone via the controls.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to robot path planning. Depth information of a plurality of obstacles in an environment of a robot are obtained at a first time instance. A static distance map is generated based on the depth information. A path is computed for the robot based on the static distance map. At a second time instant, depth information of one or more obstacles is obtained. A dynamic distance map is generated based on the one or more obstacles, wherein for each obstacle that satisfies a condition: a vibration range of the obstacle is computed based on a position of the obstacle and the static distance map, and the obstacle is classified as a dynamic obstacle or a static obstacle based on a criterion associated with the vibration range. A repulsive speed of the robot is computed based on the dynamic distance map to avoid the dynamic obstacles.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method, system, medium, and implementations for robot path planning. Depth data of obstacles, acquired by depth sensors deployed in a 3D robot workspace and represented with respect to a sensor coordinate system, is transformed into depth data with respect to a robot coordinate system. The 3D robot workspace is discretized to generate 3D grid points representing a discretized 3D robot workspace. Based on the depth data with respect to the robot coordinate system, binarized values are assigned to at least some of 3D grid points to generate a binarized representation for the obstacles present in the 3D robot workspace. With respect to one or more sensing points associated with a part of a robot, it is determined whether the part is to collide with any obstacle. Based on the determining, a path is planned for the robot to move along while avoiding any obstacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to placement of an ultrasound transducer for a procedure. In a non-limiting embodiment, a 3D environment including images of a body region of a patient, as well as images including a first virtual representation of an ablation needle at a first location and a second virtual representation of an ultrasound transducer at a second location is rendered on a display device. A determination may be made as to whether the first and second virtual representations collide at a first collision point. If so, at least one parameter associated with an orientation and/or position of the second virtual representation may be adjusted. A determination may then be made as to whether or not the first and second virtual representations still collide and, in response to determining that there is no collision, position data indicating the location of the second virtual representation after the adjustment, is stored.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to a method and system for path planning. Information of a current pose of a robotic arm having a plurality of operable segments is obtained. The information includes a plurality of values, each of which corresponds to an angle formed between consecutive operable segments of the robotic arm. A desired pose where the robotic arm needs to reach is also obtained. An angle step-value is computed for the current pose of the robotic arm based on a function of a distance between the current pose and the desired pose, wherein the angle step value is to be used to determine a plurality of candidate next poses of the plurality of operable segments. One or more of candidate next poses is selected based on at least one criterion, and a trajectory is determined from the current pose to the desired pose based on the selected next poses.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to a method and system for path planning. A target is tracked via one or more sensors. Information of a desired pose of an end-effector with respect to the target and a current pose of the end-effector is obtained. Also, a minimum distance permitted between an arm including the end-effector and each of at least one obstacle identified between the current pose of the end-effector and the target is obtained. A weighting factor previously learned is retrieved and a cost based on a cost function is computed in accordance with a weighted smallest distance between the arm including the end-effector and the at least one obstacle, wherein the smallest distance is weighted by the weighting factor. A trajectory is computed from the current pose to the desired pose by minimizing the cost function.

Abstract: A system for providing visual three dimensional assistance to a user during a medical procedure involving a soft organ. The system and method provide visual assistance to a user during a medical procedure involving a soft organ. The system and method utilize a processor for generating an image of the soft organ, a surgical instrument tracker for tracking a surgical instrument during the medical procedure, and a display in communication with the processor and the surgical instrument tracker for visually displaying in three dimensions, the image of the soft organ and the surgical instrument in relation to the soft organ.

Abstract: A method, system, medium, and implementations for computer-aided preoperative surgical planning are described. Input data acquired with respect to a part of a patient is received by the system. The part corresponds to an organ, e.g., lung, of the patient to be operated on and includes one or more lesions to be removed during an operation. Then, an anatomic 3D model of the part of the patient is generated. Based on the generated anatomic 3D model, a preoperative plan for linear-cutting stapler resection of the one or more lesions from the organ to be carried out during the operation is obtained. The stapler cartridge size and the staple length are estimated based on the preoperative plan. Further, the resection based on the preoperative plan is visualized.