Abstract: A method for multi-modal tissue classification of an anatomical tissue involves a generation of a tissue classification volume (40) of the anatomical tissue derived from a spatial registration and an image extraction of one or more MRI features of the anatomical tissue and one or more ultrasound image features of the anatomical tissue. The method further involves a classification of each voxel of the tissue classification volume (40) as one of a plurality of tissue types including a healthy tissue voxel and an unhealthy tissue voxel.

Abstract: A method for a mesh segmentation and a mesh registration involves an extraction of a preoperative anatomical mesh (51) from a preoperative anatomical image (50) based on a base topology of an anatomical mesh template (40), an extraction of an intraoperative anatomical mesh (61) from an intraoperative anatomical image (60) based on a preoperative topology of the preoperative anatomical mesh (51) derived from the base topology of an anatomical mesh template (40), and a registration of the preoperative anatomical image (50) and the intraoperative anatomical image (60) based on a mapping correspondence between the preoperative anatomical mesh (51) and the intraoperative anatomical mesh (61) established by an intraoperative topology of the intraoperative anatomical mesh (61) derived from the preoperative topology of the preoperative anatomical mesh (51).

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for performing a multi-modal deformable imaging registration between two different modalities for which a functional dependency is missing or very difficult to identify. The method provides a nonlinear mapping between every pair of points in the two image modalities by calculating the nonlinear mapping for only a limited number of identifiable landmarks within the two modalities and a statistical deformation model of the structure of interest.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of needle insertion 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: The invention relates to an assisting apparatus for assisting in performing brachytherapy. The position of an introduction element (17) like a catheter is tracked particularly by using electromagnetic tracking, while a group of seeds is introduced into a living object (2). This provides a rough knowledge about the position of the seeds within the object. An ultrasound image showing the group is generated depending on the tracked position of the introduction element and, thus, depending on the rough knowledge about the position of the seeds, in order to optimize the ultrasound visualization with respect to showing the introduced seeds. Based on this optimized ultrasound visualization the position of a seed of the group is determined, thereby allowing for an improved determination of seed positions and correspondingly for an improved brachytherapy performed based on the determined positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element like a radiation source into an object, particularly for calibrating a brachytherapy system. First and second images show a longish introduction device (12) like a catheter and a tracking device (16) like an electromagnetically trackable guidewire inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and the introduction device and a calibration element (46) having the same dimensions as the influencing element and being inserted into the introduction device as far as possible. A spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element is determined based on the images for calibrating the system. Knowing this spatial relation allows accurately determining an influencing plan like a brachytherapy treatment plan and accurately positioning the influencing element in accordance with the influencing plan, which in turn allows for a more accurate influencing of the object.

Abstract: A therapy planning and image guidance and navigation for an interventional procedure are combined in one system. The system includes: a radio frequency ablation therapy planning component (1) capable of creating an initial treatment plan, adjusting the treatment plan to take into account data received during a procedure and transferring a treatment plan to a navigation component, a navigation system component (2) to guide an ablation probe (6) and a feedback sub-system (3) for determining actual ablation probe positions/orientations and actual ablation size/shape via imaging (4) and/or tracking (5) systems, and enabling exchange of information between the planning component and the navigation component.

Abstract: A system with integrated tracking includes a procedure-specific hardware component (112 or 116) disposed at or near a region of interest. A field generator (114) is configured to generate a field with a field of view covering the region of interest. A mounting device (115) is connected to the field generator and is coupled to the procedure-specific hardware. The field generator is fixedly positioned by the mounting device to permit workflow access to the region of interest without interfering with the field generator and to provide a known position of the field generator relative to the region of interest. A tracking device (110) is configured to be inserted in or near the region of interest to be tracked within the field of view of the field generator to generate tracking data.

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: A system and method include a shape sensing enabled device (120) including one or more imaging devices (202), the shape sensing enabled device coupled to at fiber (122). A shape sensing module (132) is configured to receils from the at least one optical fiber within a structure and interpret the optical signals to determine a shape of the shape sensing enabled device. A device positioning module (134) is configured to determine position information of the one or more imaging devices based upon one or more relationships between the at least one optical fiber and the one or more imaging devices. A mapping module (136) is configured to register frames of reference of the at least one optical fiber, the shape sensing enabled device, and a mapping system of a target device (124) to provide an adjusted position of the target device based on the position information.

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: The invention relates to a brachytherapy apparatus (1) for applying a brachytherapy to a living object. The brachytherapy apparatus comprises a planning unit (14) for determining a placing plan defining placing positions and placing times for one or several radiation sources within the living object and close to a target region. The placing plan is determined such that the placing times are within a treatment time window determined by a treatment time window determination unit (13), wherein within the treatment time window a change of a spatial parameter of the living object caused by swelling is minimized. An adverse influence on the brachytherapy due to swelling can thereby be minimized, which improves the quality of the brachytherapy.

Abstract: An intervention instrument (60) employs a shaft (61) and a shaft tracker (62) partially or completely encircling the shaft (61) and movable to a primary tracking position along the shaft (61) between a distal tip and a proximal hub of the shaft (61). The primary tracking position is derived from a distance from an entry point of the distal tip into an anatomical region to a target location of the distal tip within the anatomical region. The shaft tracker (62) includes a primary position sensor (63) operable for tracking the shaft tracker (62) relative to the anatomical region at or offset from the primary tracking position.

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 method, system, and computer program product are provided for performing a multi-modal deformable imaging registration between two different modalities for which a functional dependency is missing or very difficult to identify. The method provides a nonlinear mapping between every pair of points in the two image modalities by calculating the nonlinear mapping for only a limited number of identifiable landmarks within the two modalities and a statistical deformation model of the structure of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image registration includes an image feature detection module (116) configured to identify internal landmarks of a first image (110). An image registration and transformation module (118) is configured to compute a registration transformation, using a processor, to register a second image (112) with the first image based on surface landmarks to result in a registered image. A landmark identification module (120) is configured to overlay the internal landmarks onto the second image using the registration transformation, encompass each of the overlaid landmarks within a virtual object to identify corresponding landmark pairs in the registered image, and register the second image with the first image using the registered image with the identified landmarks.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory by a localizer and registration unit which determines a baseline transform which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform. An image adjustment processor or program (operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform and the motion correction transform, to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display.

Abstract: An ablation planning system includes a user interface (104) configured to permit selection of inputs for planning an ablation procedure. The user interface is further configured to incorporate selection of ablation probes and one or more combinations of ablation powers, durations or parameters applicable to selected probes in the inputs to size the ablation volumes. The user interface includes a display for rendering internal images of a patient, the display permitting visualizations of the ablation volumes for different entry points on the internal images. An optimization engine (106) is coupled to the user interface to receive the inputs and is configured to output an optimized therapy plan which includes spatial ablation locations and temporal information for ablation so that collateral damage is reduced, coverage area is maximized and critical structures are avoided in a planned target volume.

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: 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.