Abstract: An image guided surgical system includes a marker attachable to and removable from an elongated surgical tool having a shaft, and at least one camera, and an image processing system in communication with the camera configured to obtain an image of the surgical tool. The image processing system is configured to operate in a calibration mode to generate a template and display the template on a display device and to receive a user input, after the image of the surgical tool is aligned to the template, to adjust a length of the template to substantially match a length of the surgical tool. A storage device in communication with the image processing system is included to store calibration information that associates a position of the marker with a position of the tip of the shaft of the surgical tool based on the adjusted length of the template.

Abstract: An image guided surgical system includes a marker attachable to and removable from an elongated surgical tool having a shaft, and at least one camera, and an image processing system in communication with the camera configured to obtain an image of the surgical tool. The image processing system is configured to operate in a calibration mode to generate a template and display the template on a display device and to receive a user input, after the image of the surgical tool is aligned to the template, to adjust a length of the template to substantially match a length of the surgical tool. A storage device in communication with the image processing system is included to store calibration information that associates a position of the marker with a position of the tip of the shaft of the surgical tool based on the adjusted length of the template.

Abstract: A system for guidance of an imaging device may include a handheld imaging device, a multidirectional feedback device, and a control unit in communication with the multidirectional feedback device and the handheld imaging device. The control unit may be configured to receive a target location, determine an initial position and pose of the handheld imaging device, calculate a position and pose deviation relative to said initial position and pose, translate said position and pose deviation into control data, and transmit said control data to the multidirectional feedback device, wherein the multidirectional feedback device uses control data to provide an operator with feedback to guide the handheld imaging device towards the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image guidance, which may include an image processing unit, cameras, and handheld real-time imaging components or handheld displays, wherein the cameras observe visual features on patients, tools, or other components, and wherein said features allow camera or object positions to be determined relative to secondary image data or a reference position, and wherein the image processing unit is configured to dynamically register observations with secondary image data, and to compute enhanced images based on combinations of one or more of secondary image data, positioning data, and real-time imaging data.

Abstract: A medical imaging system may include an imaging device; an optical head coupled to the imaging device, the optical head comprising a plurality of optical sensors; and a control unit in communication with the optical head. The control unit may be configured to: receive data from the plurality of optical sensors, determine a subset of optical sensors from the plurality of optical sensors for viewing one or more visible targets based on the received data from the plurality of optical sensors, and instruct the optical head to transmit images from the subset of optical sensors.

Abstract: A closed-loop ultrasound system includes an ultrasound receiver, an ultrasound transmitter at least one of integral with or at a predetermined position relative to the ultrasound receiver, and a trigger circuit configured to receive detection signals from the ultrasound receiver and to provide trigger signals to the ultrasound transmitter in response to received detection signals. The ultrasound transmitter is configured to transmit ultrasound energy in response to the trigger signals.

Abstract: A system for image-guided surgery may include a visual imaging system, a medical tool comprising a shaft and a tip, wherein the shaft of the tool includes an optically detectable feature that allows a position of the tip to be determined, and a display configured to display a real-time representation of the medical tool including the position of the tip regardless of whether the tip is obstructed or visible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image guidance, which may include an image processing unit, cameras, and handheld real-time imaging components or handheld displays, wherein the cameras observe visual features on patients, tools, or other components, and wherein said features allow camera or object positions to be determined relative to secondary image data or a reference position, and wherein the image processing unit is configured to dynamically register observations with secondary image data, and to compute enhanced images based on combinations of one or more of secondary image data, positioning data, and real-time imaging data.

Abstract: An image-guided ultrasound system may include an ultrasound probe, a display configured to communicate with the ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals to display images from the ultrasound probe, and an imaging device that may be attached to or integral with the ultrasound probe and configured to communicate with the display to display information derived from images from the imaging device. The imaging device may include a stabilization assembly, an imaging device assembly physically coupled to the stabilization assembly, a plurality of light-sensitive devices physically coupled to the stabilization assembly, and a memory unit physically coupled to the imaging device assembly, the memory unit configured to store calibration or usage information for the image-guided ultrasound system.

Abstract: A system and method for improved ultrasound strain imaging includes using data from a tracking system to enhance the quality of ultrasound strain image and to reduce the dependency of image quality of the user's expertise. The tracking information is synchronized with the RF frames and interpolated to find the transformation corresponding to each frame. The RF frames with their transformations are incorporated into calculation of ultrasound strain images. The tracking system may be an optical tracker, electromagnetic tracker, accelerometer, or a structured light system. The structured light system may also be used for probe calibration, by calibrating the surface of the probe pre-operatively. In addition, a relative Young's Modulus may be calculated using tracking information that is independent from the distribution of input force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image guidance, which may include an image processing unit, cameras, and handheld real-time imaging components or handheld displays, wherein the cameras observe visual features on patients, tools, or other components, and wherein said features allow camera or object positions to be determined relative to secondary image data or a reference position, and wherein the image processing unit is configured to dynamically register observations with secondary image data, and to compute enhanced images based on combinations of one or more of secondary image data, positioning data, and real-time imaging data.

Abstract: A system for guidance of an imaging device may include a handheld imaging device, a multidirectional feedback device, and a control unit in communication with the multidirectional feedback device and the handheld imaging device. The control unit may be configured to receive a target location, determine an initial position and pose of the handheld imaging device, calculate a position and pose deviation relative to said initial position and pose, translate said position and pose deviation into control data, and transmit said control data to the multidirectional feedback device, wherein the multidirectional feedback device uses control data to provide an operator with feedback to guide the handheld imaging device towards the target.

Abstract: A medical imaging system may include an imaging device; an optical head coupled to the imaging device, the optical head comprising a plurality of optical sensors; and a control unit in communication with the optical head. The control unit may be configured to: receive data from the plurality of optical sensors, determine a subset of optical sensors from the plurality of optical sensors for viewing one or more visible targets based on the received data from the plurality of optical sensors, and instruct the optical head to transmit images from the subset of optical sensors.

Abstract: A system for image-guided surgery may include a visual imaging system, a medical tool comprising a shaft and a tip, wherein the shaft of the tool includes an optically detectable feature that allows a position of the tip to be determined, and a display configured to display a real-time representation of the medical tool including the position of the tip regardless of whether the tip is obstructed or visible.

Abstract: An image-guided ultrasound system may include an ultrasound probe, a display configured to communicate with the ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals to display images from the ultrasound probe, and an imaging device that may be attached to or integral with the ultrasound probe and configured to communicate with the display to display information derived from images from the imaging device. The imaging device may include a stabilization assembly, an imaging device assembly physically coupled to the stabilization assembly, a plurality of light-sensitive devices physically coupled to the stabilization assembly, and a memory unit physically coupled to the imaging device assembly, the memory unit configured to store calibration or usage information for the image-guided ultrasound system.

Abstract: A system for image-guided surgery may include a visual imaging system, a medical tool comprising a shaft and a tip, wherein the shaft of the tool includes an optically detectable feature that allows a position of the tip to be determined, and a display configured to display a real-time representation of the medical tool including the position of the tip regardless of whether the tip is obstructed or visible.

Abstract: A system and method for improved ultrasound strain imaging includes using data from a tracking system to enhance the quality of ultrasound strain image and to reduce the dependency of image quality of the user's expertise. The tracking information is synchronized with the RF frames and interpolated to find the transformation corresponding to each frame. The RF frames with their transformations are incorporated into calculation of ultrasound strain images. The tracking system may be an optical tracker, electromagnetic tracker, accelerometer, or a structured light system. The structured light system may also be used for probe calibration, by calibrating the surface of the probe pre-operatively. In addition, a relative Young's Modulus may be calculated using tracking information that is independent from the distribution of input force.