Abstract: A system and a method are used for assisting a user in a surgical procedure. Three dimensional (3D) positioning information about an anatomical structure of interest and 3D positioning information about a surgical tool are acquired. An augmented reality view of spatial relations between the anatomical structure of interest and one or more positions along a path of the surgical tool is created based on the 3D positioning information. The augmented reality view is displayed superimposed over a field of view of the user. The augmented reality view may be displayed on a head-mounted display. Fiducial markers may be placed near the anatomical structure to provide enhanced positioning information to the creation of the augmented reality view. Operation of the surgical tool may be controlled in view of relative positions of the surgical tool and of a given landmark indicative of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a soft tissue/hard tissue interface including an optical coherence tomography system comprising at least one optical fiber for emitting and receiving detection light; and a probe including a gripping portion, and a signal delivery portion housing the at least one optical fiber, the delivery portion having a distal end portion, the distal end portion being bent such that an end face of the delivery portion generally faces an investigation region when in use. An apparatus for inspecting a soft tissue/hard tissue interface including an optical coherence tomography system comprising at least one optical fiber for emitting and receiving detection light; an near-infrared probing system operatively connected to the at least one optical fiber, the near-infrared probing system emitting at least a wavelength adapted for detecting a pre-determined condition.

Abstract: A surgical drilling system for determining proximity of a surgical drill bit to an artery during a drilling procedure, including an excitation and/or collection optical channel of a spectral absorption probe, wherein the excitation channel provides light configured for absorption by blood chromophores and the collection channel captures diffused back-scattered light modulated by said artery; a light detector; and a signal processor for determining a distance between the tissue and the probe based on said back-scattered light. A process for determining proximity of a surgical drill bit to an artery during a drilling procedure includes bringing said excitation light near the tissue including the artery; capturing diffused back-scattered light from said tissue; detecting said light modulated by said blood flow dynamics including an oscillating signal related to said periodic change; and processing said light and determining the proximity of the surgical drill bit to the artery.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source for generating low coherence excitation light, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises a low coherence interferometry sub-system and a digital signal processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source for generating low coherence excitation light, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises a low coherence interferometry sub-system and a digital signal processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises an interferometry sub-system and a processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber. The probe system comprises a light detector and a processor for determining a distance to the artery using the Beer-Lambert law of light absorption with a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (?eff). A probe system combining low coherence interferometry and spectral absorption is also provided.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises an interferometry sub-system and a processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber. The probe system comprises a light detector and a processor for determining a distance to the artery using the Beer-Lambert law of light absorption with a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (?eff). A probe system combining low coherence interferometry and spectral absorption is also provided.