Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising: a connector including a plurality of first contacts and one or more second contacts; a shaft including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being coupled to a different one of the plurality of first contacts; a memory coupled to at least one of the second contacts, wherein the memory is configured to: store a pinout map identifying an order in which the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the plurality of first contacts; and provide the pinout map to an external device via one or more of the second contacts after the connector is coupled to the external device.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising: a connector including a plurality of first contacts and one or more second contacts; a shaft including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being coupled to a different one of the plurality of first contacts; a memory coupled to at least one of the second contacts, wherein the memory is configured to: store a pinout map identifying an order in which the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the plurality of first contacts; and provide the pinout map to an external device via one or more of the second contacts after the connector is coupled to the external device.

Abstract: Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. The IGS system may be configured to detect various movement patterns of the tools, which may be mapped to and associated with corresponding actions or inputs to the IGS system. In one example, a registration probe may be moved along the x-axis and y-axis, with detected movements identified and received by the IGS system as movements of a mouse cursor on a display of the IGS system. In another example, the registration probe may be moved in a circular pattern, or quickly moved along any of the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis, with each being configured to cause the IGS system to zoom a display, change a view, record video, or other actions.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising: a connector including a plurality of first contacts and one or more second contacts; a shaft including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being coupled to a different one of the plurality of first contacts; a memory coupled to at least one of the second contacts, wherein the memory is configured to: store a pinout map identifying an order in which the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the plurality of first contacts; and provide the pinout map to an external device via one or more of the second contacts after the connector is coupled to the external device.

Abstract: Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. The IGS system may be configured to detect various movement patterns of the tools, which may be mapped to and associated with corresponding actions or inputs to the IGS system. In one example, a registration probe may be moved along the x-axis and y-axis, with detected movements identified and received by the IGS system as movements of a mouse cursor on a display of the IGS system. In another example, the registration probe may be moved in a circular pattern, or quickly moved along any of the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis, with each being configured to cause the IGS system to zoom a display, change a view, record video, or other actions.

Abstract: A virtual endoscopic view shows a surgical area and surrounding anatomy and may also show a position of a surgical instrument in use during a surgical procedure, allowing a surgeon to virtually view the surgical area when direct viewing or actual endoscopic views are incomplete, obstructed, or otherwise unavailable or undesirable. In order to render the endoscopic view, an IGS navigation system may be configured with an observer point and an observer orientation within 3-D space based upon user inputs. A user interface for defining these points allows a user to view a virtual endoscopic preview in real-time while providing inputs, thus improving the likelihood that the resulting virtual endoscopic view is as desired by the user; and reducing time spent redefining and reconfiguring the virtual endoscopic view. The virtual endoscopic preview may provide combinations of static and dynamic images to illustrate the spatial relationship of the provided inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mounting portion and a sensor portion. The mounting portion is configured to fit over a nose of a preselected patient. The mounting portion includes a base and a pair of rigid nose pads fixedly coupled to the base. Each nose pad of the pair of nose pads includes a respective nose-gripping surface. The nose-gripping surfaces of the nose pads are configured to engage the nose of the preselected patient at respective predetermined locations along the nose. Each nose-gripping surface is sized and shaped to complement a corresponding unique structural feature of the nose of the preselected patient at the predetermined location. A sensor portion is fixedly attached to the mounting portion. The sensor portion includes a first sensor configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a position of the first sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a probe having a distal end insertable into a nasal sinus of a human patient, and a location sensor positioned within the distal end. A sinuplasty balloon is positioned on the distal end at a selected opening of the nasal sinus. A processor receives first signals from the location sensor while the distal end is inserted into the nasal sinus and prior to positioning of the balloon at the selected opening, and generates a first map of the sinus. The processor inflates the balloon when it is at the selected opening, so as to enlarge the selected opening, and subsequently deflates the balloon. The processor then receives second signals from the location sensor and generates therefrom a second map of the sinus. The processor registers the first map with the second map and generates from the registered maps a numerical increase in size of the selected opening.

Abstract: A virtual endoscopic view shows a surgical area and surrounding anatomy and may also show a position of a surgical instrument in use during a surgical procedure, allowing a surgeon to virtually view the surgical area when direct viewing or actual endoscopic views are incomplete, obstructed, or otherwise unavailable or undesirable. In order to render the endoscopic view, an IGS navigation system may be configured with an observer point and an observer orientation within 3-D space based upon user inputs. A user interface for defining these points allows a user to view a virtual endoscopic preview in real-time while providing inputs, thus improving the likelihood that the resulting virtual endoscopic view is as desired by the user; and reducing time spent redefining and reconfiguring the virtual endoscopic view. The virtual endoscopic preview may provide combinations of static and dynamic images to illustrate the spatial relationship of the provided inputs.

Abstract: Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. These tools may include a probe which is instrumented with a position sensor allowing it to be used not only for registration of non-magnetic objects within the magnetic field, but also for providing additional inputs.

Abstract: A virtual endoscopic view shows a surgical area and surrounding anatomy and may also show a position of a surgical instrument in use during a surgical procedure, allowing a surgeon to virtually view the surgical area when direct viewing or actual endoscopic views are incomplete, obstructed, or otherwise unavailable or undesirable. In order to render the endoscopic view, an IGS navigation system may be configured with an observer point and an observer orientation within 3-D space based upon user inputs. A user interface for defining these points allows a user to view a virtual endoscopic preview in real-time while providing inputs, thus improving the likelihood that the resulting virtual endoscopic view is as desired by the user; and reducing time spent redefining and reconfiguring the virtual endoscopic view. The virtual endoscopic preview may provide combinations of static and dynamic images to illustrate the spatial relationship of the provided inputs.

Abstract: An ablation instrument includes a shaft that extends from a grip portion. A curved portion of the shaft is shaped to allow insertion into the head of a patient, and to position an ablation tip that extends from a distal tip of the shaft proximate to an ablation target, such as the posterior nasal nerve. When activated the ablation tip projects radiofrequency energy to ablate nearby tissue. An ablation assistance features of an image guided surgery navigation system is configured to segment and identify ablation targets within a set of pre-operative images. When a position tracked ablation instrument is configured for use, the system begins to monitor the proximity of the ablation tip to the ablation targets. When the tip is within an effective distance of the target for ablation, the system provides an alert and activates the instrument so that RF energy may be projected.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for registering a 3D image of a patient with magnetic coordinates are disclosed. A tri-axial sensor (TAS) may be added to the 3D camera. The location and orientation of the TAS sensor may be determined based on the known magnetic fields that are applied by a magnetic field transmitter. The camera coordinate system may then be transferred to the magnetic coordinate system. After completing the registration of the 3D image with a CT image and the 3D image with the magnetic coordinates, the CT image may then be registered with the magnetic coordinates.

Abstract: A virtual endoscopic view shows a surgical area and surrounding anatomy and may also show a position of a surgical instrument in use during a surgical procedure, allowing a surgeon to virtually view the surgical area when direct viewing or actual endoscopic views are incomplete, obstructed, or otherwise unavailable or undesirable. In order to render the endoscopic view, an IGS navigation system may be configured with an observer point and an observer orientation within 3-D space based upon user inputs. A user interface for defining these points allows a user to view a virtual endoscopic preview in real-time while providing inputs, thus improving the likelihood that the resulting virtual endoscopic view is as desired by the user; and reducing time spent redefining and reconfiguring the virtual endoscopic view. The virtual endoscopic preview may provide combinations of static and dynamic images to illustrate the spatial relationship of the provided inputs.

Abstract: A virtual camera may be positioned relative to a 3-D model of a patient anatomy in order to provide a virtual camera view of the surrounding anatomy and tracked surgical instruments being deployed to the anatomy. Visual context provided by the virtual camera may be limited in some cases, such as where a surgical instrument is being used within a very narrow anatomical passageway or cavity. To provide more placement flexibility, an IGS system providing a virtual camera receives inputs defining variable visual characteristics for different segments or regions of the 3-D model, which may include hiding certain segments or making certain segments semi-transparent. With such a system, the view of the 3-D model provided by the virtual camera view may be modified to remove or deemphasize less relevant segments, to display or emphasize more relevant segments (e.g., critical patient anatomy), or both.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a patient tracker, attached to a subject, having magnetic field sensors and optical landmarks with known spatial relationships to each other. A camera acquires a 3D optical image, in a first frame of reference (FOR), of the subject's face. A magnetic radiator assembly generates magnetic fields at the subject's head, thereby defining a second FOR. A processor: processes field sensor signals to acquire location coordinates of the sensors in the second FOR; segments a tomographic image of the subject, having a third FOR, to identify the subject's face in the third FOR; computes a first transformation between the third and first FORs to map the tomographic face image to the 3D optical image; maps the optical landmarks to the third FOR; maps the respective location coordinates of the sensors to the first FOR; and computes a second transformation between the second FOR and the third FOR.

Abstract: Physicians performing invasive procedures utilize instruments inserted into a human body to perform the procedures. Such procedures typically involve actions to be performed on specific targeted anatomical structures. During the procedure, nearby anatomical structures unrelated to the procedure should generally be avoided. A system and techniques are provided herein for monitoring the position of such unrelated nearby anatomical structures relative to one or more surgical instruments. The system emits a warning to a human operator such as a surgeon if one of the instruments is too close to a monitored anatomical structure.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed comprising: a connector including a plurality of first contacts and one or more second contacts; a shaft including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode being coupled to a different one of the plurality of first contacts; a memory coupled to at least one of the second contacts, wherein the memory is configured to: store a pinout map identifying an order in which the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the plurality of first contacts; and provide the pinout map to an external device via one or more of the second contacts after the connector is coupled to the external device.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a magnetic field generator, a first magnetic field sensor configured for attachment to a proximal end of a surgical tool configured for insertion into a body, and a calibration device that includes a second magnetic field sensor and a proximity sensor, wherein the field sensors generate respective location signals responsive to a magnetic field emanating from the generator and traversing the field sensors. The apparatus includes a control unit, which receives the signals from all the sensors, extracts respective location and orientation coordinates of the field sensors based on the signals, computes a conversion relation between the coordinates of the first sensor and a distal end of the tool that is brought into contact with the calibration device, and subsequently applies the conversion relation, together with the coordinates of the first sensor, in providing a visual indication of a location of the distal end inside the body.

Abstract: Physicians performing invasive procedures require accuracy and precision when working with surgical tools. Surgical procedures are increasingly becoming minimally invasive, with physicians operating using cameras to view the surgery site and directing their tools through oculars or video displays. Ideally, the physician should be able to perform the invasive procedure while simultaneously observing both the real-time image of the patient and additional data critical for his medical decisions about the manipulation of the surgical tool and the next surgical step. The augmented reality navigation system of the present disclosure provides tool location visibility for invasive procedures through the use of location sensors included on a camera and/or on the tools used during a procedure. A location tracking system determines and monitors the locations of the tools and camera based on the characteristics of signals detected by the sensors and displays informational overlays on images obtained with a camera.