Abstract: A brachytherapy seed localization system for localizing radioactive seeds within a diseased tissue, the brachytherapy seed localization system employs a tool tracking machine (50) for generating a tracked seed distribution map (51) of delivered locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue, and a tissue imaging machine (60) for generating a seed distribution image (61) of projected locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue including at least one false projected location. The brachytherapy seed localization system further employs a brachytherapy seed localizer (70) for generating a composite seed distribution map (71) of estimated locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue derived from a combination of the tracked seed distribution map (51) and the seed distribution image (61) excluding any false projected location(s) within the seed distribution image (61).

Abstract: A system and method for planning and performing an interventional procedure based on the spatial relationships between identified points. The system includes a storage device (102) having an image (104) which includes a plurality of targets (107). A spatial determination device (114) is configured to determine distances and/or orientation between each of the targets. The system is configured to compare the distances and generate a warning signal if at least one of the distances is less than a minimum threshold (128). An image generation device (116) is configured to generate a graphical representation for display to the user which shows the spatial information between a selected target with respect to the other targets. A planning device (126) is configured to modify or consolidate targets automatically or based on a user's input in order to more effectively plan or execute an interventional procedure.

Abstract: A tracking system for ultrasound imaging includes an imaging probe which acquires ultrasound image information including a plurality of ultrasound image frames; an inertial measurement unit coupled to the imaging probe and which synchronously acquires tracking information including a plurality of tracking frames indicative of motion of the imaging probe; and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain the ultrasound image information for at least two of the plurality of ultrasound image frames from the plurality of ultrasound imaging frames, and determine a similarity value based upon a comparison of the at least two ultrasound image frames. The controller is configured to compute whether the similarity value (Cframe) is less than a similarity threshold value (Cthresh), and select first or second pose estimation methods, each different from each other, based upon results of the computation of whether the similarity value (Cframe) is less than the similarity threshold value (Cthresh).

Abstract: A system for boundary identification includes a memory (42) to store shear wave displacements through a medium as a displacement field including a spatial component and a temporal component. A directional filter (206, 208) filters the displacement field to provide a directional displacement field. A signal processing device (26) is coupled to the memory to execute a boundary estimator (214) to estimate a tissue boundary in a displayed image based upon a history of the directional displacement field accumulated over time.

Abstract: An interventional therapy system may include at least one controller which may obtain a reference image dataset of an object of interest (OOI); segment the reference image dataset to determine peripheral outlines of the OOI in the plurality image slices; acquire a current image of the OOI using an ultrasound probe; select a peripheral outline of a selected image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset which is determined to correspond to the current image; and/or modify the selected peripheral outline of the image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset in accordance with at least one deformation vector.

Abstract: A system and method for image registration includes tracking (508) a scanner probe in a position along a skin surface of a patient. Image planes corresponding to the position are acquired (510). A three-dimensional volume of a region of interest is reconstructed (512) from the image planes. A search of an image volume is initialized (514) to determine candidate images to register the image volume with the three-dimensional volume by employing pose information of the scanner probe during image plane acquisition, and physical constraints of a pose of the scanner probe. The image volume is registered (522) with the three-dimensional volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a determination apparatus for determining the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element (12) is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source (10) close to a target object (11) to be treated. A position determination element (27) like guidewire (20) with an electromagnetic tracking element (16) is introduced into the introduction element (12) such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element (12), wherein the positions of the position determination element (27) within the introduction element (12) are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

Abstract: An acoustic probe connectable to an imaging system. The acoustic probe has a substrate with first and second principal surfaces, at least one device insertion port comprising an opening passing through the substrate from the first principal surface to the second principal surface, and an array of acoustic transducer elements supported by the substrate and disposed around the at least one device insertion port. The acoustic probe comprising an instrument guide disposed within the device insertion port, the instrument guide being configured to selectively allow the interventional device to move freely within the device insertion port and to selectively lock the interventional device within the device insertion port in response to a user input via a user interface connected to the acoustic probe.

Abstract: A system includes an acoustic probe and an acoustic imaging machine connected to the acoustic probe. The acoustic probe a substrate with first and second principal surfaces, at least one device insertion port comprising an opening passing through the substrate from the first principal surface to the second principal surface, and an array of acoustic transducer elements supported by the substrate and disposed around the at least one device insertion port. The acoustic imaging machine is configured systematically vary the size and/or position of the active acoustic aperture of the ultrasound probe by providing transmit signals to selected acoustic transducer elements to cause the array of acoustic transducer elements to transmit an acoustic probe signal to an area of interest, and recording a feedback signal of the transmit signals from an acoustic receiver (610) provided at a distal end of an interventional device passed through the device insertion port into the area of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a determination apparatus for determining the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source close to a target object to be treated. A position determination element like guidewire with an electromagnetic tracking element is introduced into the introduction element such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element, wherein the positions of the position determination element within the introduction element are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

Abstract: A system for dynamic localization of medical instruments includes an ultrasound imaging system (110) configured to image a volume where one or more medical instruments are deployed. A registration module (136) registers two images of the one or more medical instruments to compute a transform between the two images, the two images being separated in time. A planning module (142) is configured to have positions of the volume and the one or more medical instruments updated based on the transform and, in turn, update a treatment plan in accordance with the updated positions such that changes in the volume and positions of the one or more medical instruments are accounted for in the updated plan.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of the insertion of multiple needles into a volumetric region which can be scanned by the 3D imaging probe. The needle guide responds to the insertion of a needle through the guide by identifying a plane for scanning by the probe which is the insertion plane through which the needle will pass during insertion. The orientation of the insertion plane is communicated to the probe to cause the probe to scan the identified plane and produce images of the needle as it travels through the insertion plane.

Abstract: A calibration system includes a channel block (102) having a plurality of channels (104) formed therein. The channels are configured to correspond to locations where treatment devices are inserted for treatment of a patient. The channels are dimensioned to restrict motion of the treatment devices. A tracking system (128) is configured to monitor a position of a treatment device (108) inserted in one or more of the channels. The tracking system is configured to generate tracking data for the at least one treatment device for comparison with an expected position for the treatment device.

Abstract: A system for registration feedback includes a segmentation module (148) configured to segment a relevant three-dimensional structure in a first image to be registered and to segment a same relevant structure in a second image to be registered to provide three-dimensional segmentations of the first and second images. A registration module (152) is configured to register the three-dimensional segmentations of the first and second images by applying a registration transformation to one of the three-dimensional segmentations to map one three-dimensional segmentation onto the coordinate space of the other.

Abstract: A device, system and method for accessing internal tissue include a probe (108) disposed on a distal end portion of a medical device and configured to be inserted into a body along a trajectory path. A sensor (102) is mounted on a displacement tracker portion (104) of the medical device which is disposed on a proximal end portion of the device. The sensor is configured to measure a distance parallel to the probe between the displacement tracker portion and a tissue surface such that a position of the probe is determinable relative to the tissue surface upon advance or retraction of the probe along the trajectory path.

Abstract: A brachytherapy seed localization system for localizing radioactive seeds within a diseased tissue, the brachytherapy seed localization system employs a tool tracking machine (50) for generating a tracked seed distribution map (51) of delivered locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue, and a tissue imaging machine (60) for generating a seed distribution image (61) of projected locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue including at least one false projected location. The brachytherapy seed localization system further employs a brachytherapy seed localizer (70) for generating a composite seed distribution map (71) of estimated locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue derived from a combination of the tracked seed distribution map (51) and the seed distribution image (61) excluding any false projected location(s) within the seed distribution image (61).

Abstract: A system for fusing images to account for motion compensation includes an imaging modality (110) configured to obtain a baseline image and current images. A live tracking system (115) is configured to track an imaging instrument for capturing the baseline image and the current images, the live tracking system having a coordinate system registered with the baseline image and the current images. A pose analyzer unit (132) is configured to employ field of view differences between a pose for the baseline image and a pose for a current view image using the live tracking system to generate success parameters. The success parameters are conveyed to provide feedback on image acquisition for motion compensation between the baseline image and the current view image.

Abstract: An ultrasound calibration system employs a calibration phantom (20), an ultrasound probe (10) and a calibration workstation (40a). The calibration phantom (20) encloses a frame assembly (21) within a calibration coordinate system established by one or more phantom trackers. In operation, the ultrasound probe (10) acoustically scans an image of the frame assembly (21) within an image coordinate system relative to a scan coordinate system established by one or more probe trackers. The calibration workstation (40a) localizes the ultrasound probe (10) and the frame assembly image (11) within the calibration coordinate system and determines a calibration transformation matrix between the image coordinate system and the scan coordinate system from the localizations.

Abstract: A feedback system for instrument guidance includes a feedback guidance module (122) configured to detect an instrument in a realtime image and generate feedback under a detected event for aligning or guiding the instrument. An image generation module (148) is configured to generate a projected guideline in the image. The feedback guidance module is configured to generate at least one of audio and visual feedback to provide guidance to a user in positioning the instrument in the area of interest relative to the projected guideline in realtime.

Abstract: A system for ablation planning and treatment includes a delineation module (124) configured to distinguish tissue types in an image, the tissue types including at least a core tissue and a margin zone encapsulating the core tissue. A treatment planning module (140) is configured to apply weightings in a cost function to prioritize ablation coverage of the tissue types including the core tissue and the margin zone to determine ablation characteristics that achieve an ablation composite in accordance with user preferences. A graphical user interface (122) is rendered on a display to indicate the core tissue, the margin zone, the ablation composite and permit module user selection of one or more treatment methods.