Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments contemplate systems and methods for assessing structural complexity within an intra-surgical environment. For example, in some embodiments, surface characteristics from three-dimensional models of a patient interior, such as a colon, bronchial tube, esophagus, etc. may be used to infer the surface's level of complexity. Once determined, complexity may inform a number of downstream operations, such as assisting surgical operators to identify complex regions requiring more thorough review, the automated recognition of healthy or unhealthy tissue states, etc. While some embodiments apply to generally cylindrical internal structures, such as a colon or branching pulmonary pathways, etc., other embodiments may be used within other structures, such as inflated laparoscopic regions between organs, joints, etc. Various embodiments also consider graphical and feedback indicia for representing the complexity assessments.

Abstract: A method and system for generating stabilized intravascular ultrasonic images are provided. The system includes a probe instrument, having an ultrasonic signal transmitter and a reflected ultrasonic signal receiver, the reflected signals containing information about a tubular environment, and a processor and post-processor, capable of converting inputted signals into one or more, preferably a series of, images. The method for stabilizing images involves the processor and post-processor input and output. The post-processor determines the environment center at each reflection position, detects the tubular environment edges, and aligns the image center with the environment center thereby limiting image drift and stabilizing the images. The processor may also filter images to improve image stabilization and remove motion interference and/or extract the environment's 3D shape. The method and device are of particular use in a vascular lumen, where image drift may occur due to heart beat or blood flow.

Abstract: A method and system for generating stabilized intravascular ultrasonic images are provided. The system may include a probe instrument, such as a catheter, connected to a processor and a post-processor. The method of using the system to stabilize images and the method for stabilizing images involve the process by which the processor and post-processor stabilize the image. A computer readable medium containing executable instructions for controlling a computer containing the processor and post-processor to perform the method of stabilizing images is also provided. The probe instrument, which has a transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic signals and a receiver for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals that contain information about a tubular environment, such as a body lumen, preferably is a catheter.