Abstract: A volume mapping instrument (20), deployable within a partially or a completely enclosed anatomical volume, employs one or more medical tools (40) with each medical tool (40) being transitional between a deployable structural configuration to orderly position each medical tool (40) within the anatomical volume and a mapping structural configuration to anchor the medical tool (40) against the boundary of the anatomical volume. The volume mapping instrument (20) further employs an optical shape sensor (30) to generate one or more encoded optical signals indicative of a shape of the boundary of the anatomical volume in response to each medical tool (40) being transitioned from the deployable structural configuration to the mapping structural configuration within the anatomical volume. Based on the encoded optical signal(s), a volume mapping module (51) is utilized to map a portion or an entirety of the boundary of the anatomical volume.

Abstract: An OSS sound generation system employing an optical shape sensor (10), an optical shape sensor (10) controller, one or more audible devices (40) and a sound controller (30). In operation, the OSS controller (20) controls a generation by the optical shape sensor (10) of sensor data indicative of stimuli measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10), and the sound controller (30) interprets the sensor data to control a generation by the audible device(s) (40) of one or more sound(s) derived from the stimuli measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10).

Abstract: A system and method for generating a radiological report. The system and method displaying, on a display, an image of a region of interest, determining an image characteristic of the region of interest, determining, via a processor, a recommendation based on the image characteristic, and generating, via the processor, a report including the recommendation.

Abstract: A radiology workstation (14) includes a processor (16), user input devices (24, 26, 28), and at least one display device (20, 22) that displays a work list (32) of radiology examination reading tasks. A radiology examination reading task is selected from the work list, and radiology images are retrieved from a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and displayed. Entry of a radiology report is received via the at least one user input device. A challenge level assessment component (60) generates prospective challenge levels (88) for radiology examination reading tasks prior to entry of the radiology reports for the reading tasks, and the radiology workstation displays the work list with indicators (50, 54) of the prospective challenge levels generated by the challenge level assessment component for the radiology examination reading tasks. The indicators may be, for example, color indicators, icon indicators, colored icon indicators, or textual indicators.

Abstract: A device operating in conjunction with a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) (10) stores a plurality of radiological images, which includes at least two different image modalities. The device includes a radiology workstation (14) with at least one display device (20, 22). An electronic processor (36) is programmed to: organize a queue (32) of radiology examination reading tasks in accord with information (60, 62) about the radiology examination reading tasks other than or in addition to their order in the queue to generate an ordered work list (34) of the radiology examination reading tasks; display the ordered work list on the at least one display device of the radiology workstation; and retrieve from the PACS one or more radiology images of a radiology examination reading task of the ordered work list and display the retrieved radiology images on the at least one display device of the radiology workstation.

Abstract: A system (200) executes a method (130-180) to produce an optimal path for any type of path planning application. In operation, the system (200) constructs a configuration space node structure representing a discretized configuration space including a plurality of states characterized by one or more parameters, and augments the configuration space node structure with discrete parameter values explicitly quantifying each node of the configuration space node structure and/or with heuristic values serving as a search guide through a free space region of the discretized configuration space.

Abstract: A medical system includes a tube (102) configured to pass internally into a body and an index (108) disposed on the tube and configured to be visible internally within the tube. An outermost nested cannula (110) component is affixed within the tube with a geometric relationship with the tube as indicated by the index. An imaging device (106) is configured to image an anatomic reference relative to the index such that alignment of the outermost nested cannula component is provided by aligning the at least one index with the anatomic reference.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: An OSS sound generation system employing an optical shape sensor (10), an optical shape sensor (10) controller, one or more audible devices (40) and a sound controller (30). In operation, the OSS controller (20) controls a generation by the optical shape sensor (10) of sensor data indicative of stimuli measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10). and the sound controller (30) interprets the sensor data to control a generation by the audible device(s) (40) of one or more sound(s) derived from the stimuli 3 measurement(s) of the optical shape sensor (10).

Abstract: A cannula configuration method involves a generation of a discretized configuration space of a three dimensional image of an anatomical region, the discretized configuration space including a free-space for navigation of a nested cannula within the anatomical region and a forbidden space unreachable by the nested cannula. The method further involves a selection of a tube target location (24) within the free-space, the tube target location (24) being derived from a computation of contiguous tool trajectory nodes of the discretized configuration space representative of a trajectory of a surgical tool extending through the nested cannula from the tube target location (24) within the free-space to a tool target location (23) within the forbidden space. The method further involves a generation of a series of concatenated path shapes between the tube entry location (24) and the tube target location to form a cannula configuration pathway within the free-space.

Abstract: A volume mapping instrument (20), deployable within a partially or a completely enclosed anatomical volume, employs one or more medical tools (40) with each medical tool (40) being transitional between a deployable structural configuration to orderly position each medical tool (40) within the anatomical volume and a mapping structural configuration to anchor the medical tool (40) against the boundary of the anatomical volume. The volume mapping instrument (20) further employs an optical shape sensor (30) to generate one or more encoded optical signals indicative of a shape of the boundary of the anatomical volume in response to each medical tool (40) being transitioned from the deployable structural configuration to the mapping structural configuration within the anatomical volume. Based on the encoded optical signal(s), a volume mapping module (51) is utilized to map a portion or an entirety of the boundary of the anatomical volume.

Abstract: A surgical tool set for treating a collapsed lung condition employs a trocar (20), and a nested cannula including a pleural port tube (30) and a fluid suction tube (50). In operation, the trocar (20) is nested within the pleural port tube (30), and utilized to puncture a port into a pleural cavity (10) of the patient while securing the pleural port tube (30) within the port. Subsequent to removing the trocar (20) from the pleural port tube (30), a fluid suction tube (50) is advanced with a fixed orientation through the secured pleural port tube (30) in a direction of a pleural cavity (10) target location (15) and air is suctioned from the pleural air space through one or more perforated holes into the fluid suction tube (50). The fluid suction tube (50) may have a target orientation section (42) or an additional target orientation tube (40) may be used to fix the orientation of the fluid suction tube (50) relative to the pleural port tube (30).

Abstract: A nested cannula includes two or more nested tubes (204, 206). A tip portion (202) at a distal end of the nested cannula includes a shape compositely formed from ends of the tubes of the nested cannula to improve one of distal advancement or proximal retraction during deployment.

Abstract: A cannula configuration method involves a generation of a discretized configuration space of a three dimensional image of an anatomical region, the discretized configuration space including a free-space for navigation of a nested cannula within the anatomical region and a forbidden space unreachable by the nested cannula. The method further involves a selection of a tube target location (24) within the free-space, the tube target location (24) being derived from a computation of contiguous tool trajectory nodes of the discretized configuration space representative of a trajectory of a surgical tool extending through the nested cannula from the tube target location (24) within the free-space to a tool target location (23) within the forbidden space. The method further involves a generation of a series of concatenated path shapes between the tube entry location (24) and the tube target location to form a cannula configuration pathway within the free-space.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a guide (102) having an interlocking structure. A tool (104) is enclosed within the guide and has an interlocking feature configured to engage the interlocking structure of the guide. The tool has a stored position and a deployed position such that in transitioning between the stored position and the deployed position, motion of the tool relative to the guide is controlled in accordance with the interlocking structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for Nested Cannula configuration. Nested Cannula systems include a plurality of telescoping, pre-shaped tubes configured and dimensioned to reach target locations within a particular anatomical region. A three dimensional image is read for the particular anatomical region and structure in question. A series of arcs are generated between a point of the anatomical region and a target location, ensuring collision-free motion for each of the tubes at each specific diameter. The target location is determined based upon the medical procedure being performed and the location and orientation in six degrees of freedom of the anatomical structure in question. The series of arcs are used to configure and dimension the plurality of tubes. The Nested Cannula system is adapted to reach relatively small and complex target locations, such as to deliver photodynamic therapy, balloon angioplasty or BronchoAlveolar Lavage.

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: Methods and systems for nested cannula configuration involving helical tubes (40). The nested cannula (60) includes a plurality of telescoping tubes cooperatively configured and dimensioned to reach a target location relative to an anatomical region through a set of arcs (11, 21, 41) including one or more helical arcs (41) with each arc being determined between a point associated with the anatomical region and the target location. In particular, a three-dimensional image (51) of the anatomical region is utilized to generate the series of arcs, which in turn are utilized to calculate a pathway (53) that is utilized to configure and dimension the tubes.

Abstract: A specification for a device including a set of concentric cannulas may be discovered to have an actual path different from a desired path, due to interactions between cannulas that effect net curvature of the device. The choice of particular cannulas may be corrected by performing a calculation taking into account curvature affecting properties of the individual cannulas including radius of curvature, elasticity, and moment of inertia. This calculation is preferably performed iteratively starting with a most distal cannula and iterating through the cannulas to the proximal end, accumulating net effect of curvature affecting properties.