Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising an input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom for input control; and a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) module operable with the input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom. In one embodiment, the DTI module is operable to compute fiber bundles. The module is further operable to identify one or more 3D regions of interests (ROIs) in a reference volume, and compute or identify the fiber bundles passing through one or more 3D ROIs. In one embodiment, the system support displaying a 3D stereoscopic image of the fiber bundles passing through a 3D ROI.

Abstract: A guide system for use by a user who performs an operation in a defined threedimensional region is disclosed, the system including a data processing apparatus for generating images of the subject of the operation in co-registration with the subject, a display for displaying the images to the user, a probe having a position which is visible to the user, and a tracking unit for tracking the location of the probe by the system and transmitting that location to the data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus being arranged, upon the user moving the probe to a selection region outside and surrounding the defined region, to generate one or more virtual buttons, each of the buttons being associated with a corresponding instruction to the system, the data processing apparatus being arranged to register a selection by the user of any of the virtual buttons, the selection including positioning of the probe in relation to the apparent position of that virtual button, and to modify the computer-generated ima

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for stereoscopically displaying and virtually viewing tube-like anatomical structures are presented. Stereoscopic display of such structures can provide a user with better depth perception of the structure being viewed and thus make a virtual examination more real. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, ray shooting, coupled with appropriate error correction techniques, can be utilized for dynamic adjustment of an eye convergence point for stereo display. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the correctness of a convergence point can be verified to avoid a distractive and uncomfortable visualization. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, convergence points in consecutive time frames can be compared. If rapid changes are detected, the system can compensate by interpolating transitional convergence points.

Abstract: A method and system for the dynamic display of three dimensional ultrasound images is presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the method includes acquisition of a plurality of ultrasound images with a probe whose position is tracked. Using the positional information of the probe, the plurality of images are volumetrically blended using a pre-determined time dependent dissolving process. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a color look up table can be used to filter each image prior to its display resulting in real-time segmentation of greyscale values and the three-dimensional visualization of the three-dimensional shape of structures of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for navigation within a surgical field are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a micro-camera can be provided in a hand-held navigation probe tracked by a tracking system. This enables navigation within an operative scene by viewing real-time images from the viewpoint of the micro-camera within the navigation probe, which are overlaid with computer generated 3D graphics depicting structures of interest generated from pre-operative scans. Various transparency settings of the camera image and the superimposed 3D graphics can enhance the depth perception, and distances between a tip of the probe and any of the superimposed 3D structures along a virtual ray extending from the probe tip can be dynamically displayed in the combined image. In exemplary embodiments of the invention a virtual interface can be displayed adjacent to the combined image on a system display, thus facilitating interaction with various navigation related functions.