Abstract: The invention relates a method and an apparatus of predicting or planning a temperature distribution (52) in a body. The method comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a model of the body (50) related to a temperature transport mechanism or temperature distribution (52) in the body; b) simulating an application of heat to at least a part of the body such as targeted tissue; c) determining and/or predicting the temperature (52) or heat distribution in at least a part of the body using the model of the body (50).

Abstract: The invention relates a method and an apparatus of predicting or planning a temperature distribution (52) in a body. The method comprises the steps of: a) obtaining a model of the body (50) related to a temperature transport mechanism or temperature distribution (52) in the body; b) simulating an application of heat to at least a part of the body such as targeted tissue; c) determining and/or predicting the temperature (52) or heat distribution in at least a part of the body using the model of the body (50).

Abstract: A method for identifying target regions in a tissue for local drug delivery, where functional and/or structural anatomical data such as edema and/or resection cavity is captured by an imaging system, and where the anatomical data is evaluated by segmentation techniques such as region-growing-based methods with computer assistance to determine a margin around a resection cavity and/or the volume of edema, the margin and/or the volume of edema being the target tissue for local drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compensating for brain shift in catheter trajectory planning. First brain shift information is determined from an initial brain image dataset, an initial planning dataset, a patient orientation dataset, and first burr hole dataset. The brain image dataset is updated based on the first brain shift information and a trajectory of a first catheter is updated based on the updated brain image dataset. For a subsequent catheter placement, subsequent brain shift information is determined based on the updated brain image dataset, the patient orientation dataset, and a subsequent burr hole dataset. The brain image dataset is updated again based on the subsequent brain shift information. The re-updated brain image dataset is utilized to update trajectories of the subsequent catheter as well as any preceding catheters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compensating for brain shift in catheter trajectory planning. First brain shift information is determined from an initial brain image dataset, an initial planning dataset, a patient orientation dataset, and first burr hole dataset. The brain image dataset is updated based on the first brain shift information and a trajectory of a first catheter is updated based on the updated brain image dataset. For a subsequent catheter placement, subsequent brain shift information is determined based on the updated brain image dataset, the patient orientation dataset, and a subsequent burr hole dataset. The brain image dataset is updated again based on the subsequent brain shift information. The re-updated brain image dataset is utilized to update trajectories of the subsequent catheter as well as any preceding catheters.

Abstract: A method is provided for planning a position and/or a movement trajectory of a medical instrument in a heterogeneous body structure. The method includes providing at least one of a) body structure data corresponding to mechanical properties of the heterogeneous body structure, wherein said mechanical properties influence a movement of the instrument through the heterogeneous body structure due to the mechanical interaction between the instrument and the heterogeneous body structure, b) instrument data concerning mechanical and/or geometric properties of the instrument, or c) movement data concerning mechanical properties that are intended to cause and/or describe a movement of the instrument through the heterogeneous body structure. The position and/or movement trajectory-of the instrument or a probability that said position and/or movement trajectory will be achieved then is determined based on at least one of the movement data, the body structure data or the instrument data.

Abstract: The invention relates a method and an apparatus of predicting or planning a temperature distribution (52) in a body. The method comprises the steps of : a) obtaining a model of the body (50) related to a temperature transport mechanism or temperature distribution (52) in the body; b) simulating an application of heat to at least a part of the body such as targeted tissue; c) determining and/or predicting the temperature (52) or heat distribution in at least a part of the body using the model of the body (50).

Abstract: A device and method for determining at least one infusion and/or injection region for infusing and/or injecting a medical drug into a heterogeneous body structure in order to achieve a distribution of the medical drug in a desired target region of the heterogeneous body structure is provided. The device and method provide at least one property of the heterogeneous body structure that influences the spatial distribution of the medical drug in the heterogeneous body structure; and determine the at least one infusion and/or injection region from which the medical drug is to be transported through the heterogeneous body structure to the at least one target region as a function of the at least one property of the heterogeneous body structure and a position of the desired target region.

Abstract: A method for planning the placement of a device in a body includes analyzing information of at least part of the internal structure of the body of a patient to determine if at least one specific or critical region or structure lies within a region of interest, said region of interest within a predetermined distance of the planned trajectory of the device in the body. Then, a level of risk is assessed to the at least one specific or critical region or structure that is within the region of interest.

Abstract: A method of adjusting infusion parameters that provide coverage of a selected target volume for direct infusions of a fluid includes using an algorithm for calculation of optimal packing of spheres or cylinders in a selected volume to determine the coverage of the selected target volume.

Abstract: A method for identifying target regions in a tissue for local drug delivery, wherein functional and/or structural anatomical data such as edema and/or resection cavity is captured by an imaging system, and wherein the anatomical data is evaluated by segmentation techniques such as region-growing-based methods with computer assistance to determine a margin around a resection cavity and/or the volume of edema, the margin and/or the volume of edema being the target tissue for local drug delivery.

Abstract: A device and method for determining at least one infusion and/or injection region for infusing and/or injecting a medical drug into a heterogeneous body structure in order to achieve a distribution of the medical drug in a desired target region of the heterogeneous body structure is provided. The device and method provide at least one property of the heterogeneous body structure that influences the spatial distribution of the medical drug in the heterogeneous body structure; and determine the at least one infusion and/or injection region from which the medical drug is to be transported through the heterogeneous body structure to the at least one target region as a function of the at least one property of the heterogeneous body structure and a position of the desired target region.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for planning a position and/or a movement trajectory of a medical instrument in a heterogeneous body structure such that the instrument is delivered to a target region in the heterogeneous body structure. The method includes providing at least one of a) body structure data corresponding to mechanical properties of the heterogeneous body structure, wherein said mechanical properties influence a movement of the instrument through the heterogeneous body structure due to the mechanical interaction between the instrument and the heterogeneous body structure, b) instrument data concerning mechanical and/or geometric properties of the instrument, or c) movement data concerning mechanical properties that are intended to cause and/or describe a movement of the instrument through the heterogeneous body structure.