Abstract: An electro-magnetic tracking system (50,110) includes a system controller (58) having a sensor interface, a generator (52), and a positioning and angular orientation configuration (62,114). The generator is responsive to the system controller for generating an electro-magnetic field, the electro-magnetic field including a portion thereof characterized as a tracking volume (54) of highest accuracy. The highest accuracy corresponds to an accuracy of the sensor interface and system controller to detect a sensor (56) 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.

Abstract: A system for local metal distortion correction for using an accurate electromagnetic tracking system in a medical environment is disclosed containing an electromagnetic field generator monitoring a medical device having a suitable sensor coil wherein a correction function, derived from an error correction tool, is applied to the position and orientation readings of the sensor coil. The error correction tool consists of a number of electromagnetic sensors arranged in a fixed and known geometric configuration and is placed surrounding the site of the medical procedure. Sensor data is displayed on an imaging system. In addition, a distortion mapping can be done utilizing optical sensors for relative positioning readings along with an electromagnetic tracking system sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a component that updates a registration between an image space coordinate system and an interventional space coordinate system based on interventional device position information within a patient obtained from intermediate image data indicative of the interventional device location and a position sensor (160) that is located on an interventional device (156) within the patient.

Abstract: A probe includes an ultrasound imaging transducer and a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer. The probe is operatively connected to a localizer which provides information indicative of the position and orientation of the probe in relation to a CT scanner. Information from the ultrasound imaging transducer and the CT scanner is used to assist in planning and performing a HIFU treatment.