Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a catheter; a retention cap attached to an end of the catheter, having an operably openable surface; a flexible membrane having a rim securely connected to an inner surface of the catheter to define a first volume and a second volume therein, such that the second volume is substantially the same as a desired drug volume; and a pressurizable member coupled to the catheter. In use, the desired drug volume is preloaded into the second volume of the catheter that in turn is slided into a guidance device, when the guidance device is placed in a target, the pressurizable member applies a pressure into the first volume to exert a force upon the flexible membrane to operably squeeze the second volume, which in turn pressurizes the operably openable surface of the retention cap to open, thereby unloading the desired drug volume into the target.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a catheter; a retention cap attached to an end of the catheter, having an operably openable surface; a flexible membrane having a rim securely connected to an inner surface of the catheter to define a first volume and a second volume therein, such that the second volume is substantially the same as a desired drug volume; and a pressurizable member coupled to the catheter. In use, the desired drug volume is preloaded into the second volume of the catheter that in turn is slided into a guidance device, when the guidance device is placed in a target, the pressurizable member applies a pressure into the first volume to exert a force upon the flexible membrane to operably squeeze the second volume, which in turn pressurizes the operably openable surface of the retention cap to open, thereby unloading the desired drug volume into the target.

Abstract: A method and system of compensation for intra-operative organ shift of a living subject usable in image guide surgery. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating a first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject from intra-operatively acquired images of the organ of the living subject, constructing an atlas of organ deformations of the living subject from pre-operatively acquired organ images from the pre-operatively acquired organ images, generating a second geometric surface of the organ from the atlas of organ deformations, aligning the second geometric surface of the organ to the first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject to determine at least one difference between a point of the first geometric surface and a corresponding point of the second geometric surface of the organ of the living subject, which is related to organ shift, and compensating for the intra-operative organ shift.

Abstract: A method and system of compensation for intra-operative organ shift of a living subject usable in image guide surgery. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating a first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject from intra-operatively acquired images of the organ of the living subject, constructing an atlas of organ deformations of the living subject from pre-operatively acquired organ images from the pre-operatively acquired organ images, generating a second geometric surface of the organ from the atlas of organ deformations, aligning the second geometric surface of the organ to the first geometric surface of the organ of the living subject to determine at least one difference between a point of the first geometric surface and a corresponding point of the second geometric surface of the organ of the living subject, which is related to organ shift, and compensating for the intra-operative organ shift.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and processing physical space data used while performing image-guided surgery is disclosed. Physical space data is collected by probing physical surface points of surgically exposed tissue. The physical space data provides three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates for each of the physical surface points. Based on the physical space data collected, point-based registrations used to indicate surgical position in both image space and physical space are determined. In one embodiment, the surface of surgically exposed tissue of a living patient is illuminated with laser light. Light reflected from the illuminated surface of the exposed tissue is received and analyzed. In another embodiment, one or more magnetic fields of known shape and size are established in the proximity of the exposed tissue. Data associated with the strength of the magnetic fields is acquired and analyzed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and processing physical space data used while performing image-guided surgery is disclosed. Physical space data is collected by probing physical surface points of surgically exposed tissue. The physical space data provides three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates for each of the physical surface points. Based on the physical space data collected, point-based registrations used to indicate surgical position in both image space and physical space are determined. The registrations are used to map into image space, image data describing the physical space of an ablative instrument used to perform the image-guided surgery, an ablation zone of the instrument, the surgically exposed tissue, and a particular portion of the tissue to be resected or ablated. The image data is updated on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A dry break coupling for connecting a pair of fluid conduits includes first and second housings adapted for connection to the respective conduits. The first housing includes a piston supported for axial sliding movement between a first position wherein fluid flow through the first housing is blocked and a second position wherein fluid is free to flow through the first housing. The second housing includes a poppet supported for axial movement between a first position wherein fluid flow through the second housing is blocked and a second position wherein fluid is free to flow through the second housing. A handle is provided on the first housing for moving the piston between the first and second positions therefor and the poppet is engaged by the piston and moved to its second position in response to axial movement of the piston from the first to the second position therefor.