Abstract: A probe is connected to a probe carrier that is positioned with respect to the body of a patient. The probe is moved into or out of the body incrementally by means of a driver mechanism and flexible coupler. The flexible coupler in one embodiment comprises a flexible sheath with a flexible driver shaft that can be passed within the flexible sheath and can be rotated or pushed forward and backward with respect to the sheath by a driver element thereby causing translational movement of probe. Several forms of probes, flexible coupling elements, and driver apparatus as well as methods of applications accommodate specific objectives.

Abstract: This invention involves apparatus and methods for relating image scan data of a patient's anatomy from an imaging scanner to a device attached to said patient's anatomy or to an apparatus located nearby said patient's anatomy. In one embodiment it includes identification of fiducial points or markers on or near the patient's anatomy in the image scan data, and subsequently relating these fiducial points to reference points or structures connected to an apparatus attached to or nearby the patient's body. Such an apparatus might be a surgical head clamp or stereotactic frame or arc which has been attached to the patient's head at the time of surgery. A mapping is made between the coordinate frame data of the scan image to the coordinate reference frame of the patient attachment means or external apparatus by physically referencing the fiducial points to the patient attachment means or external apparatus.

Abstract: A skin-based band is fixed to a patient's skin in a repeatable position and includes reference markers which, attached to the skin band, can be visualized in tomographic image scanning. The reference markers appear as reference marker images in the image scan data from the image scan and correspond to coordinate positions in the image scan coordinate system. The reference markers also provide corresponding reference marker positions in the physical space of the patient's anatomy, which may correspond to a stereotactic coordinate system associated with a digitized navigator or frameless stereotactic reference system near the patient. The band can also be placed on the patient again at the time of surgical intervention, and the reference markers can be touched or referenced by the surgical navigator in the stereotactic coordinate system.

Abstract: A skin-based band is fixed to a patient's skin in a repeatable position and includes reference markers which, attached to the skin band, can be visualized in tomographic image scanning. The reference markers appear as reference marker images in the image scan data from the image scan and correspond to coordinate positions in the image scan coordinate system. The reference markers also provide corresponding reference marker positions in the physical space of the patient's anatomy, which may correspond to a stereotactic coordinate system associated with a digitized navigator or frameless stereotactic reference system near the patient. The band can also be placed on the patient again at the time of surgical intervention, and the reference markers can be touched or referenced by the surgical navigator in the stereotactic coordinate system.

Abstract: A tissue examination device includes a plurality of sensors, each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor in accordance with the properties of different types of underlying tissue structures as the sensor is pressed against the tissue. A plurality of processing tests are performed on the signals, and the different types of the underlying tissue structures are discriminated from each other based on the results of the tests.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for calibrating and recalibrating a digitized navigator or so-called frameless stereotactic instrument or device during a surgical operation. The apparatus enables calibration for the stereotactic digitizer to be recovered after sterile draping of the patient, movement of the patient's head during operation, relative movement of the patient's head and reference apparatus associated with the stereotactic digitizer, power failures, or other events which could compromise calibration of the stereotactic digitizer during the operation which would otherwise preclude continuations using the digitizer. It also provides convenient means for initial calibration or repeat calibration, should that be necessary. The apparatus is, in one embodiment, cooperatively coupled to, or coupled so as to move with, the portion of the patient's body which is being operated upon and enables the repositioning of the recalibration means after sterile draping.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for calibrating the pressure sensors of a tissue examination device to enable the sensors to produce signals that accurately indicate whether an underlying tissue structure is present in tissue being examined. In general, the calibration is performed using a substance configured to apply a selected amount of pressure to the sensors when engaged in a selected way by the tissue examination device. The sensors are calibrated based on levels of the signals produced in response to the selected amount of pressure imposed by the substance. The tissue examination device may be pressed against the substance, or the substance may be pressed against the sensors. Preferably, the substance applies the selected amount of pressure substantially uniformly to the sensors. A wide variety of substances can be used, such as a foam pad, a rubber pad, a gel, a fluid-containing balloon, and pressurized air.