Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position of an instrument (100) includes a sheath (104) configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed with a pre-procedural volumetric image to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: An interventional instrument, system and method include an elongated flexible member (100) having one or more segmented sections (101) disposed longitudinally. An optical fiber (104) is disposed internally in the flexible member. A plurality of optical sensors (102) are coupled to the optical fiber and distributed along a length of the flexible member such that the optical sensors are positioned to monitor parameters simultaneously at different positions or at different data sources along the flexible member to provide distributed sensing.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method determining a position of an instrument (100) are provided. A sheath (104) is configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed with a pre-procedural volumetric image to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

Abstract: A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system includes a non-invasive tracking system for tracing the biopsy device in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system includes an optical detector mounted on the needle for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.

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: An implantable applicator (10) has at least one guide channel (12) for guiding a radioactive seed or source (66) to a target region. A plurality of imageable fiducials (40) are configured for attachment to the patient adjacent the target region. Electromagnetic sensors (18, 20, 22, 20?, 42) are mounted to the applicator and the imageable fiducials. An electromagnetic tracking system determines the relative position of the applicator mounted sensors (18, 20, 22, 20?) and the fiducial mounted sensors (42). A localizing processor (52) generates a map of the sensors which is combined (56) with a high resolution image (46). A comparing processor (70) monitors for changes in sensor positions, generates a movement correction transform (72) which transforms (74) the planning image into a transformed planning image (76).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking a functional part of an instrument during an interventional procedure and displaying dynamic imaging corresponding to a functional part of the instrument. The system comprises: at least one instrument; a system for acquiring anatomical images relevant to guiding the instrument; a tether connected to the imaging system at a fixed end and connected to the instrument at a distal end, the tether comprising at least one longitudinal optical fiber with a plurality of optical shape sensors; an optical console that interrogates the sensors and detects reflected light; and a processor that calculates local curvature at each sensor location to determine the three-dimensional shape of the tether and determines the location and orientation of the instrument relative to the images using the local curvatures of the tether and the location of the fixed end of the tether.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.

Abstract: A method and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region; a tracking system; a probe having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method determining a position of an instrument (100) are provided. A sheath (104) is configured to fit within an instrument channel of a medical scope. An optical fiber (112) is disposed within the sheath and a plurality of sensors (106) is integrated in optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber. A fixing mechanism (140) is sized to fit within the instrument channel in a first state and fixes the sheath within the instrument channel in a second state such that the fixing mechanism anchors the sheath and the optical fiber so that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine a position of the instrument.

Abstract: An interventional instrument, system and method include an elongated flexible member (100) having one or more segmented sections (101) disposed longitudinally. An optical fiber (104) is disposed internally in the flexible member. A plurality of optical sensors (102) are coupled to the optical fiber and distributed along a length of the flexible member such that the optical sensors are positioned to monitor parameters simultaneously at different positions or at different data sources along the flexible member to provide distributed sensing.

Abstract: A system including a display and a processor and a corresponding method for identifying a tumor in a patient image, classifying the tumor based on a predetermined classification system and determining a recommendation regarding a lymph node biopsy based on the tumor identified in the patient image, the classification of the tumor and a predetermined rule.

Abstract: A system for tracking a device can include a medical device for placement in a target anatomy of a patient, one or more sensors in proximity to and connected to the medical device, wherein positioning data associated with the medical device is generated by the one or more accelerometric sensors, and a processor for determining at least one of a position and an orientation of the medical device based on the positioning data.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for manufacturing anatomically and functionally accurate soft tissue phantoms with multimodality characteristics for imaging studies is disclosed. The organ/tissue phantom is constructed by filling a container containing an organ having inner vasculature therein with a molten elastomeric material; inserting a plurality of rods with bumps thereupon through the container and the organ; allowing the molten elastomeric material to harden and cure; removing the organ; replacing the organ with a plurality of elastomeric segments; and removing an elastomeric segment and replacing the void created thereupon with molten PVA to create a PVA segment; allowing the molten PVA segment to harden and cure; and repeating the creation of PVA segments until all the elastomeric segments have been removed, such that each successive molten PVA segment adheres to and fuses with the previous hardened PVA segment so as to form an approximately complete organ phantom cast.

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 and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system (190) for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region (200); a tracking system (100); a probe (75) having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system (50) for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer (150) in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking (500) of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking method includes generating an electromagnetic field (14) in a region of interest (16). The electromagnetic field is subject to distortion in response to a presence of metal artifacts proximate the electromagnetic field. An array of reference sensors (30,50,102,104,110) having a predefined known configuration are disposed proximate the region of interest. A first set of locations of the array of reference sensors is determined with respect to the electromagnetic field generator (12) in response to an excitation of one or more of the reference sensors via the electromagnetic field. A second mechanism (28), other than the electromagnetic field, determines a first portion of a second set of locations of at least one or more sensors of the array of reference sensors with respect to the second mechanism, the second mechanism being in a known spatial relationship with the electromagnetic field generator.

Abstract: A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system comprises a non-invasive tracking system (400) for tracing the biopsy device (100) in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system comprises an optical detector (101?, 102?, 103?) mounted on the needle (100) for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.