Abstract: A method (50) for quantitative 3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis includes acquiring (54) an initial pair of ultrasound contrast and tissue images of an anatomy. A region of interest (ROI) or volume of interest (VOI) is established (56) in the initial acquired tissue image, which becomes the baseline tissue image. The established ROI/VOI is automatically registered (58) from the initial tissue image to the initial contrast image, which becomes a baseline contrast image. Quantitative analysis is performed (60) on the ROI/VOI of the baseline contrast image. The method further includes acquiring (62) a next ultrasound contrast and tissue image pair, corresponding to an i th current contrast and tissue image pair.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for fusing real-time ultrasound images with pre-acquired medical images are described.

Abstract: A system and method for ablation planning includes defining (502) shapes and sizes for one or more ablation volumes based on probability of treatment, and determining (510) a target volume to be treated. A procedure plan is provided (516) by determining a number and location of planned ablations within the target volume using the one or more ablation volumes. A joint probability distribution (520) is determined for at least two planned ablations in the target volume. A final configuration is visualized (530) to determine if plan objectives are met based on a probability of treatment for the target volume.

Abstract: A system and method for medical device detection includes a guidance system (38) configured to deliver a surgical device (32) into a subject. A surgical device deployment detector (25, 40, 42, 44) is configured to cooperate with the guidance system and is configured to detect a deployment of the surgical device in the subject. A coordination module (22)is configured to receive input from the guidance system and the deployment detector to determine and record one or more of a location and time of each deployment.

Abstract: A system and method for ablation include ablating (508) a target volume using an ablation probe and collecting (510) temperature information around the target volume. A shape of an ablation volume is determined (512) based upon the temperature information. The shape is displayed (520) on a display relative to an image of the target volume.

Abstract: A method and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region; a tracking system; a probe having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.

Abstract: A system and methods for adaptive placement of a treatment element include a placement device (134), and a localization system (120) configured to track progress of the placement device such that a position of a treatment element (146, 132) placed by or to be placed by the placement device is stored in memory. A computer system (142) includes a program (104) implemented in computer readable storage media and configured to compute an effect of the treatment element at the position and determine whether a dosage amount has been achieved by the treatment element for treatment of an organ.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasound image from a memory (20) is compared with a 3D diagnostic image from a memory (12) by a localizer and registration unit (30) which determines a baseline transform (Tbase) which registers the 3D diagnostic and ultrasound volume images. The target region continues to be examined by an ultrasound scanner (22) which generates a series of real-time 2D or 3D ultrasound or other lower resolution images. The localizer and registration unit (30) compares one or a group of the 2D ultrasound images with the 3D ultrasound image to determine a motion correction transform (Tmotion). An image adjustment processor or program (32) operates on the 3D diagnostic volume image with the baseline transform (Tbase) and the motion correction transform (Tmotion), to generate a motion corrected image that is displayed on an appropriate display (74).

Abstract: A system includes a component that updates a registration between an image space coordinate system and an interventional space coordinate system. The registration update is based on interventional device position information within a patient obtained from intermediate image data indicative of the interventional device location and a position sensor that is located on an interventional device within the patient.

Abstract: In planning an ablation procedure, a planned target volume (PTV) is imported, which is typically selected by a doctor but may be computer-identified. An ablation solution comprising a plurality of ablation volumes is generated or selected using a lookup table. Ablations sharing a common axis along a line of insertion are grouped into blocks. Alternatively, the PTV is enveloped in a sphere, and a pre-computed ablation solution (e.g., a 6- or 14-sphere solution) is identified to cover the PTV sphere. Optionally, a mathematical algorithm is executed to increase an axis through the ablation spheres to generate ellipsoidal ablation volumes that envelop the PTV.

Abstract: A training system and method includes a subject phantom (102) capable of being visualized on a display (120). A spatial tracking system (104) is configured to track an interventional instrument (108) in subject phantom space. A simulation system (110) is configured to generate a simulated abnormality in the phantom space and to simulate interactions with the simulated abnormality to provide feedback and evaluation information to a user for training the user in an associated procedure related to the abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating diagnosis and treatment for internal tissues includes imaging (202) at least a portion of an internal organ of a subject using a first technology capable of differentiating tissue types, and targeting (205) and accessing biopsy sites using images of the first technology fused with images of a second technology capable of real-time image updates. Treatment of a biopsy site is planned (207) using the images of the first technology. Instruments for treating the biopsy site are guided (210) by fusing (208) the images of the first technology with the images of the second technology.

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: An electro-magnetic tracking system includes a system controller having a sensor interface, a generator, and a positioning and angular orientation configuration. The generator is responsive to the system controller for generating an electro-magnetic field that includes a tracking volume of highest accuracy. The highest accuracy corresponds to an accuracy of the sensor interface and system controller to detect a sensor physically located within the tracking volume versus a lesser accuracy of the sensor interface and system controller to detect the sensor if the sensor is located outside of the tracking volume. The positioning and angular orientation configuration is coupled to the field generator for visibly optimizing (i) a positioning and/or (ii) an angular orientation of the electro-magnetic field generator such that the tracking volume lies within a centroid of a physical volume of interest, thereby enabling a detection of a sensor within the tracking volume with a highest accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for performing biopsies can include an imaging system (190) for obtaining diagnostic images of a target region (200); a tracking system (100); a probe (75) having a deployable biopsy needle for performing a biopsy procedure where the tracking system generates tracking information for at least one of the probe and the biopsy needle; an ultrasound imaging system (50) for obtaining ultrasound imaging of the target region; and a computer (150) in communication with the tracking system, the imaging system and the ultrasound imaging system. The computer can register the tracking system with the imaging system. The computer transfers a marking (500) of a biopsy site associated with the biopsy procedure from the ultrasound imaging to the diagnostic images based on the tracking information and the registration of the tracking system with the diagnostic images.

Abstract: In planning an ablation procedure, a planned target volume (PTV) is imported, which is typically selected by a doctor but may be computer-identified. An ablation solution comprising a plurality of ablation volumes is generated or selected using a lookup table. Ablations sharing a common axis along a line of insertion are grouped into blocks. Alternatively, the PTV is enveloped in a sphere, and a pre-computed ablation solution (e.g., a 6- or 14-sphere solution) is identified to cover the PTV sphere. Optionally, a mathematical algorithm is executed to increase an axis through the ablation spheres to generate ellipsoidal ablation volumes that envelop the PTV.

Abstract: A method for interventional navigation using 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging (10) includes acquiring a reference 3D CEUS volume and tracking information for a desired portion of an anatomy (22) subject to an interventional procedure with an instrument (40), during a useful lifetime of a contrast enhancement agent administered to the anatomy. Real-time tracked tissue images (38) are acquired during the interventional procedure. In addition, a corresponding CEUS multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) (44) for at least one of the acquired real-time tracked tissue images is generated. At least one of the acquired real-time tracked tissue images is displayed (20) along with the corresponding CEUS MPR. The displayed real-time tracked tissue image includes at least an image of the instrument within the desired portion of the anatomy and the CEUS MPR corresponds to the displayed real-time tracked tissue image.

Abstract: A method (50) for quantitative 3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis includes acquiring (54) an initial pair of ultrasound contrast and tissue images of an anatomy. A region of interest (ROI) or volume of interest (VOI) is established (56) in the initial acquired tissue image, which becomes the baseline tissue image. The established ROI/VOI is automatically registered (58) from the initial tissue image to the initial contrast image, which becomes a baseline contrast image. Quantitative analysis is performed (60) on the ROI/VOI of the baseline contrast image. The method further includes acquiring (62) a next ultrasound contrast and tissue image pair, corresponding to an i th current contrast and tissue image pair.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking ultrasound transducers or probes (12) with spatial localizers (16) achieves automatic calibration with a minimum addition of hardware to that required by earlier systems. An image-based tracking algorithm localizes control points in an image space (I). An unlimited number of points can then be used for ultrasound calibration, allowing for high calibration accuracy. The proposed calibration system (10) is simple and low cost. The calibration is fast and can be carried out automatically.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for fusing real-time ultrasound images with pre-acquired medical images are described.