Abstract: A system for tracking a medical device includes an introducer (20). Two or more sensors (22) are disposed along a length of the introducer and are spaced apart along the length. An interface (32) is configured to connect to the introducer such that the introducer and the interface operatively couple to and support the medical device wherein the two or more sensors are configured to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the medical device using medical imaging.

Abstract: A treatment planning system (106) for generating patient-specific treatment margins. The system (106) includes one or more processors (142). The processors (142) are programmed to receive a radiation treatment plan (RTP) for irradiating a target (122) over the course of one or more treatment fractions. The RTP including one or more treatment margins around the target (122) and a planned dose distribution for the target (122). The processors (142) are further programmed to receive motion data for at least one of the treatment fractions of the RTP from one or more target surrogates (124), calculate a motion-compensated dose distribution for the target (122) using the motion data and the planned dose distribution, compare the motion-compensated dose distribution to the planned dose distribution, and adjust the treatment margins based on dosimetric differences between the motion-compensated dose distribution and the planned dose distribution.

Abstract: A system for tracking an instrument includes two or more sensors (22) disposed along a length of an instrument and being spaced apart from adjacent sensors. An interpretation module (45) is configured to select and update an image slice from a three-dimensional image volume in accordance with positions of the two or more sensors. The three-dimensional image volume includes the positions two or more sensors with respect to a target in the volume. An image processing module (48) is configured to generate an overlay (80) indicating reference positions in the image slice. The reference positions include the positions of the two or more sensors and relative offsets from the image slice in a display to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the instrument.

Abstract: A grid calibration system employing interventional equipment including one or more interventional tools (23), a grid (22) having a hole matrix for supporting and guiding the interventional tool(s) (23) within a calibration area, and an imaging device (24) positioned relative to the grid (22) for generating a tool image illustrative of the interventional tool(s) (23) within the calibration area. The grid calibration system further employs a grid calibration workstation (40) for displaying any alignment adjustments to the relative positioning of the grid (22) and the imaging device (24) as derived from an image registration of the tool image and a virtual grid having a point matrix representative of the hole matrix of the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brachytherapy apparatus (1) for applying a brachytherapy to a living object. The brachytherapy apparatus comprises a planning unit (14) for determining a placing plan defining placing positions and placing times for one or several radiation sources within the living object and close to a target region. The placing plan is determined such that the placing times are within a treatment time window determined by a treatment time window determination unit (13), wherein within the treatment time window a change of a spatial parameter of the living object caused by swelling is minimized. An adverse influence on the brachytherapy due to swelling can thereby be minimized, which improves the quality of the brachytherapy.

Abstract: An adaptor device includes a first connector (106) configured to interface with an ultrasound probe and a second connector (108) configured to interface with an ultrasound console. An array of lines (120) connects the first connector to the second connector. A pulse generator or generators (110, 112) are configured to output trigger signals responsive to a signal on one or more of the array of lines. An external output (114, 116) is configured to output the trigger signals.

Abstract: The generation of the pattern and for the adaptation to the specific geometry requires a lot of manual work. It is an object of the invention to simplify the workflow for the clinician during treatment planning. This object is achieved by a treatment planning system configured for determining a set of catheter or needle insertion positions to be used during treatment comprising. The treatment planning system comprises an image providing module for providing a medical image from which at least one treatment target structure can be derived. Further the treatment planning system comprises a pattern providing module for providing one or a set of standard patterns for catheter or needle insertion comprising a plurality of catheter or needle insertion positions, wherein the catheter or needle positions relate to treatment positions in the at least one treatment target structure.

Abstract: A medical device includes a device body (14), a first sensor (10) formed on the device body and including a piezoelectric polymer as a sensor element, the piezoelectric polymer configured to receive ultrasonic energy and a first electrical trace (24) connecting to the first sensor and extending along the device body. A dummy sensor (11) is formed on the device body in proximity of the first sensor and includes a dummy sensor element. A second electrical trace (25) connects to the dummy sensor and extends along the device body in a configuration relative to the first electrical trace, wherein a signal event is discriminated between a signal and noise using a response measured on one or more of the first sensor, the dummy sensor or the second electrical trace.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (“EM”) tracking configuration system employs an EM quality assurance (“EMQA”) (30) and EM data coordination (“DC”) system (70). For the EMQA system (30), an EM sensor block (40) includes EM sensor(s) (22) positioned and oriented to represent a simulated electromagnetic tracking of interventional tool(s) inserted through electromagnetic sensor block (40) into an anatomical region. As an EM field generator (20) generates an EM field (21) encircling EM sensor(s) (22), an EMQA workstation (50) tests an EM tracking accuracy of an insertion of the interventional tool(s) through the EM sensor block (40) into the anatomical region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration apparatus for registering an elongated introduction element (18), like a catheter or a needle, during an interventional procedure, for instance, a brachytherapy or a biopsy. A guide element (13) comprising at least one opening guides the introduction element when being introduced into a living being (2) through the opening. A temperature profile generation element (14) associated with the opening generates a characteristic temperature profile at the opening for being transferred to the introduction element when being present in the opening. A temperature determination unit (15) determines a temperature along the introduction element, and a registration unit (16) registers the introduction element, wherein the registering comprises identifying the transferred characteristic temperature profile on the introduction element based on the determined temperature.

Abstract: A radiation therapy delivery system (10) includes an ultrasound imaging unit (26), a radiation therapy delivery mechanism (12, 56, 70, 88), a plurality of fiducials (22, 90) located internal to the subject, an image fusion unit (40), and a delivery evaluation unit (38). The ultrasound imaging unit (26) includes a transducer (30) that emits ultrasonic sound waves to image in real-time an anatomic portion of a subject (16) in a first coordinate system. The radiation therapy delivery mechanism (12, 56, 70, 88) delivers amounts of therapeutic radiation in the anatomic portion of the subject in a second coordinate system. The fiducials (22, 90) include implants or a trans-rectal ultrasound probe (80). The image fusion unit (40) registers locations of the plurality of fiducials to at least one of the first and the second coordinate system and tracks the locations of the fiducials in real-time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (10) for providing an object (2) in a body (1), a processor (18) arranged to be used in the system (10) for providing an object (2) in a body (1), an instrument (12) for providing an object (2) into a body (1), a method for detecting a providing of an object (2) in a body (1) and a software product for detecting a providing of an object (2) in a body (1). In order to allow for a providing of an object (2) in a body (1) and a detecting hereof while avoiding the drawbacks on the known approaches, e.g. giving an opportunity for reliable localization in ultrasound images used for real-time monitoring of a medical procedure with reduced error proneness to electromagnetic interference, the invention utilizes the finding that the characteristics of a reception or transmission of an ultrasound transducer (24, 26) are influenced by the surrounding environment of the ultrasound transducer (24, 26).

Abstract: A method generates images based on context-aware imaging. The method includes acquiring a first image of a patient using first image acquisition parameters. The method includes determining, within the first image, an area as a function of first data associated with the patient. The method includes determining modification data as a function of at least one of (a) second data corresponding to the determined area and (b) the first data. The method includes determining second image acquisition parameters as a function of the modification data and the first image acquisition parameters. The method includes acquiring a second image of the patient using the second image acquisition parameters.

Abstract: An interventional tool stepper (30) employing a frame (31), a carriage (33), an optional gear assembly (32), and an optional grid template(34). The frame (31) is structurally configured to be positioned relative to an anatomical region for holding an interventional tool (40) relative to the anatomical region. The carriage (33) is structurally configured to hold the interventional tool (40) relative to the anatomical region. The gear assembly (32) is structurally configured to translate and/or rotate the carriage (33) relative to the frame (31). The grid template (34) is structurally configured to guide one or more additional interventional tools (41) relative to the anatomical region. The frame (31), the carriage (33), the optional gear assembly (32) and the optional grid template (34) have an electromagnetic-compatible material composition for minimizing any distortion by the interventional tool stepper (30) of an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a HDR brachytherapy system comprising an ultrasound sensor for being arranged at the location of a brachytherapy catheter (12), wherein the ultrasound sensor is adapted to generate an ultrasound signal based on ultrasound radiation, which has been sent by an ultrasound imaging device preferentially comprising a TRUS probe (40) and which has been received by the ultrasound sensor. The position of the ultrasound sensor is determined based on the generated ultrasound signal, and based on this position of the ultrasound sensor the pose and shape of the brachytherapy catheter and/or the position of a HDR radiation source are determined. This allows for a very accurate determination of the pose and shape of the brachytherapy catheter and/or of the position of the HDR radiation source, which in turn can lead to an improved HDR brachytherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method in which a Foley catheter (70) or other medical tool which is equipped with ultrasound (US) sensor(s) (72) is inserted into the prostatic urethra. Based on analysis of the US signal received by these US sensors (72) as the US beams from a transrectal US (TRUS) probe (40) or other ultrasound probe sweep the field of view, it is possible to precisely detect and track these US sensors (72) in the same frame of reference as the TRUS images, thereby precisely delineating the Foley catheter and the course of the prostatic urethra. During the procedure, before each seed is dropped, the delivered dose to the prostatic urethra can be computed based on real-time tracking and segmentation of prostatic urethra and dose radiation based on previously dropped seeds and if necessary, the procedure can be re-planned automatically.

Abstract: When reducing radiation dose to healthy tissue near a target volume, a 4D motion model (52) of a target volume is generated during CT scan data acquisition. The target volume is tracked, and tracked target volume position information (43) is provided to a motion estimation tool (48). Motion parameter information (60) output from the motion estimation tool is linked to motion phases of the target volume indicated by CT scan data. A dynamic planned target volume (PTV) (64) that covers the target volume in each motion phase is generated and linked to tracked motion parameters for each respective motion phase. A radiation dose is delivered to the PTV for each motion phase using the linked motion parameters and real-time tracking information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging apparatus (24) for imaging an introduction element (17) like a needle or a catheter for performing a biopsy or a brachytherapy. The introduction element (17) comprises at least one ultrasound receiver (21) arranged at a known location thereof. An ultrasound probe (12) for being inserted into a living being (2) emits ultrasound signals for acquiring ultrasound data of an inner part (19) of the living being (2). A first tracking unit (3) tracks the location of the introduction element (17) based on a reception of the emitted ultrasound signals by the at least one ultrasound receiver (21), an imaging unit (4) generates an indicator image showing the inner part (19) and an indicator of the introduction element (17) based on the tracked location, and a display (5) displays the indicator image. This allows receiving a feedback about the location of the introduction element (17).

Abstract: A system for radiation therapy include an imaging device (108) configured to scan an area of interest for tissue undergoing radiation therapy to collect one or more images of the tissue. An interpretation module (110) is configured to receive the one or more images of the tissue to determine a burn status of the tissue and provide adjustments for a radiation treatment plan in accordance with the burn status.

Abstract: A method for multi-modal tissue classification of an anatomical tissue involves a generation of a tissue classification volume (40) of the anatomical tissue derived from a spatial registration and an image extraction of one or more MRI features of the anatomical tissue and one or more ultrasound image features of the anatomical tissue. The method further involves a classification of each voxel of the tissue classification volume (40) as one of a plurality of tissue types including a healthy tissue voxel and an unhealthy tissue voxel.