Abstract: The present teaching relates to interactive medical image processing for surgical procedure planning. In one example, a three dimensional (3D) image of a kidney is obtained. The three dimensional image is rendered on a display screen. An input is received from a user specifying a location with respect to a representation of the kidney in the rendered three dimensional image. A representation of an instrument is rendered on the display screen based on the location. The instrument is automatically aligned with an infundibulum pathway of calyx at the location with respect to the kidney. A graphical line extension is rendered on the display screen to visualize the alignment of the instrument. One or more measurements related to the kidney are determined based on the location and an anatomical structure of the kidney.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for aligning a virtual anatomic model. The method generates a virtual model of an organ of a patient, wherein the virtual model includes at least three virtual markers. A number of virtual spheres equal to a the number of virtual markers are generated, wherein the virtual spheres are disposed on the virtual model of the organ of the patient and associated with the virtual markers. A first position of the virtual spheres and the virtual markers is recorded. The virtual spheres are placed to coincide with physical markers disposed on the patient and a second position of the virtual spheres is recorded. A transformation of the virtual spheres and the virtual markers based on the first and second positions is computed and the virtual model of the organ is aligned with the patient based on the computed transformation.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure assistance. In one example, a first volume of air inside a lung is obtained based on a first image of the lung captured prior to a surgical procedure. The lung has a first shape on the first image. A second volume of air deflated from the lung is determined based on a second image of the lung captured during the surgical procedure. A second shape of the lung is estimated based on the first shape of the lung and the first air volume inside the lung and second volume of air deflated from the lung. A surgical plan is updated based on the estimated second shape of the lung.

Abstract: The success of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation mainly depends on the accuracy of the needle insertion, making it possible to destroy the whole tumor, while avoiding damages on other organs and minimizing risks of a local recurrence. This invention presents a simulated 3D environment for user to interactively place a treatment probe to a target position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing surgical assistance. The method includes obtaining a 3D space including an organ and a lesion located within the organ. Based on a shape of the organ, a grid is overlaid on a surface of the organ. The lesion is projected at a first location on an overlaid grid. A graphical tool disposed in a first orientation is positioned at the first location in the 3D space, and a plurality of parameter values of the lesion corresponding to the first orientation of the graphical tool are displayed in the 3D space. The graphical tool is manipulated to be disposed in a second orientation at a second location on the overlaid grid, and the plurality of parameter values of the lesion corresponding to the second orientation of the graphical tool are displayed in the 3D space.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for aligning a virtual anatomic model. The method generates a virtual model of an organ of a patient, wherein the virtual model includes at least three virtual markers. A number of virtual spheres equal to a the number of virtual markers are generated, wherein the virtual spheres are disposed on the virtual model of the organ of the patient and associated with the virtual markers. A first position of the virtual spheres and the virtual markers is recorded. The virtual spheres are placed to coincide with physical markers disposed on the patient and a second position of the virtual spheres is recorded. A transformation of the virtual spheres and the virtual markers based on the first and second positions is computed and the virtual model of the organ is aligned with the patient based on the computed transformation.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure assistance. In one example, a first volume of air inside a lung is obtained based on a first image of the lung captured prior to a surgical procedure. The lung has a first shape on the first image. A second volume of air deflated from the lung is determined based on a second image of the lung captured during the surgical procedure. A second shape of the lung is estimated based on the first shape of the lung and the first air volume inside the lung and second volume of air deflated from the lung. A surgical plan is updated based on the estimated second shape of the lung.

Abstract: A method for labeling vessel branches forming first and second vessel systems. A 3D image is segmented to obtain vessel branches. First and second root points are then determined. Starting from the first root point, the vessel branches are traced to derive a tracing path and a break point is determined, that separates the tracing path into two portions. A region of interest in the 3D image is determined with respect to the break point, in which center lines are assigned to the first or second vessel system. A 3D cutting structure is generated based on distances measured from points on the center lines to the 3D cutting structure. Graph representations are constructed for the first and second vessel systems. The vessel branches are labeled with different labels based on the graph representations.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure assistance. In one example, a first volume of air inside a lung is obtained based on a first image of the lung captured prior to a surgical procedure. The lung has a first shape on the first image. A second volume of air deflated from the lung is determined based on a second image of the lung captured during the surgical procedure. A second shape of the lung is estimated based on the first shape of the lung and the first air volume inside the lung and second volume of air deflated from the lung. A surgical plan is updated based on the estimated second shape of the lung.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing surgical assistance. The method includes obtaining a 3D space including an organ and a lesion located within the organ. Based on a shape of the organ, a grid is overlaid on a surface of the organ. The lesion is projected at a first location on an overlaid grid. A graphical tool disposed in a first orientation is positioned at the first location in the 3D space, and a plurality of parameter values of the lesion corresponding to the first orientation of the graphical tool are displayed in the 3D space. The graphical tool is manipulated to be disposed in a second orientation at a second location on the overlaid grid, and the plurality of parameter values of the lesion corresponding to the second orientation of the graphical tool are displayed in the 3D space.

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: A method and system is provided for data/process sharing. A trigger response unit is provided to reside on a first system where a first application system is present. The trigger response unit monitors, on the first system, when trigger data from a second application system is presented in the first application system. When the trigger data is presented in the first application system, the trigger response unit decodes the trigger data to obtain a trigger corresponding to a second application system. The obtained trigger is used to launch the second application system on the first system.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to interactive medical image processing for surgical procedure planning. In one example, a three dimensional (3D) image of a kidney is obtained. The three dimensional image is rendered on a display screen. An input is received from a user specifying a location with respect to a representation of the kidney in the rendered three dimensional image. A representation of an instrument is rendered on the display screen based on the location. The instrument is automatically aligned with an infundibulum pathway of calyx at the location with respect to the kidney. A graphical line extension is rendered on the display screen to visualize the alignment of the instrument. One or more measurements related to the kidney are determined based on the location and an anatomical structure of the kidney.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to surgical procedure assistance. In one example, a first volume of air inside a lung is obtained based on a first image of the lung captured prior to a surgical procedure. The lung has a first shape on the first image. A second volume of air deflated from the lung is determined based on a second image of the lung captured during the surgical procedure. A second shape of the lung is estimated based on the first shape of the lung and the first air volume inside the lung and second volume of air deflated from the lung. A surgical plan is updated based on the estimated second shape of the lung.

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 invention describes a method and system for intelligent diagnostic relevant information processing and analysis. Information associated with a patient is processed via an image reading platform. Based on such processed information, a matrix of diagnosis decisions containing diagnostic related information is generated via a matrix of diagnosis decision platform. A diagnostic decision is made based on the diagnostic relevant information. The image reading platform and/or the matrix of diagnosis decision platform encapsulate information and toolkits to be used to manipulate the information.

Abstract: An Intelligent Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (IQQA) system and method is disclosed that allows a user to specify certain identifying information used to search and obtain medically-related information from different sources. The medically-related information may be of different types and may be dynamically fused, when needed, to generate matrices of diagnostic information. Medical decisions such as a diagnostic decision may be made based on such matrices of diagnostic information.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for intelligent diagnostic relevant information processing and analysis. Information associated with a patient is processed via an image reading platform. Based on such processed information, a matrix of diagnosis decisions containing diagnostic related information is generated via a matrix of diagnosis decision platform. A diagnostic decision is made based on the diagnostic relevant information. The image reading platform and/or the matrix of diagnosis decision platform encapsulate information and toolkits to be used to manipulate the information.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for intelligent diagnostic relevant information processing and analysis. Information associated with a patient is processed via an image reading platform. Based on such processed information, a matrix of diagnosis decisions containing diagnostic related information is generated via a matrix of diagnosis decision platform. A diagnostic decision is made based on the diagnostic relevant information. The image reading platform and/or the matrix of diagnosis decision platform encapsulate information and toolkits to be used to manipulate the information.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for image segmentation for liver objects. Segmentation is performed to obtain a first set of objects relating to liver. More than one types in association with one of the first set of objects are identified. Landmarks are identified based on the segmented first set of objects or the different types of one of the first set of objects. A second set of objects including liver lobes are segmented based on the landmarks.