Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: Determining location and orientation of a hand-held surgical tool is provided. One embodiment captures image data that includes images of a first detectable target on the hand-held surgical tool and a second detectable target on a patient. Location and orientation or the first detectable target in a 3D space is determined based on the image data. Current location and orientation of the hand-held surgical tool in the 3D space determined based on the determined location and orientation of the first detectable target and based on retrieved model data representing the hand-held surgical tool. Location of the second detectable target in the 3D space is determined based on the image data. Then, a location of the patient's tissue in the 3D space relative to the location and orientation of the hand-held surgical tool is determined based on the determined location of the patient's second detectable target.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: A system for providing surgical planning and guidance with three-dimensional visualization is disclosed. In particular, the system obtains an image set of an anatomy of interest of a subject, and renders the image set on a user interface using volume rendering. Notably, the system accomplishes the foregoing without generating surface models or conducting bone contouring. The system may, during generation of an implant plan for implanting an implant onto the anatomy of interest, suggest landmark points in the volume rendered image set. Once the landmark points are confirmed, the system may facilitate implant positioning via implant controls. The system conducts a registration process to confirm a match between the physical anatomy of interest and the information contained in volume-rendered image set in the plan. If there is a match, the system may facilitate performance of a surgical procedure for implanting the implant onto the anatomy of interest of the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surgical tracking comprises an imaging device that generates an image of a tissue volume; an electromagnetic (EM) sensor that creates a reference frame for EM tracking in three dimensions; at least one EM sensor adapted to be attached to the tissue to track local deformation and movement of the tissue volume; a processor that registers the image with the EM-tracked tissue volume and surgical tool in real time, and produces an output; and a feedback device that provides feedback about the location of the surgical tool relative to the tissue volume, based on the processor output. Embodiments are particularly useful in soft tissue, such as breast, where deformation before and during a procedure such as tumor resection complicate tracking of the tissue volume and a surgical tool.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for tracking a volume of interest in three dimensions in real time, using fewer than 6 DOF tracking information together with an external 6 DOE coordinate system. The apparatus and methods described herein provide more accurate, smaller, and less expensive tracking systems than prior approaches based on full 6 DOF tracking comprising translation and full orientation information. Embodiments may be used in applications such as surgical navigation, gaming, robotics, motion capture, and training.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for tracking a volume of interest in three dimensions in real time, using fewer than 6 DOF tracking information together with an external 6 DOE coordinate system. The apparatus and methods described herein provide more accurate, smaller, and less expensive tracking systems than prior approaches based on full 6 DOF tracking comprising translation and full orientation information. Embodiments may be used in applications such as surgical navigation, gaming, robotics, motion capture, and training.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a reference device that enhances image-guided surgical interventions. The reference device is tracked by the imaging system and used to verify the accuracy of the intervention tool placement before and during the intervention. The reference device holds a reference sensor in a position aligned with patient anatomy, so that images are displayed in the correct orientation to the operator, aiding in target recognition and better navigation. Also provided are methods using the reference device and programmed computer media for implementing at least a part of the methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surgical tracking comprises an imaging device that generates an image of a tissue volume; an electromagnetic (EM) sensor that creates a reference frame for EM tracking in three dimensions; at least one EM sensor adapted to be attached to the tissue to track local deformation and movement of the tissue volume; a processor that registers the image with the EM-tracked tissue volume and surgical tool in real time, and produces an output; and a feedback device that provides feedback about the location of the surgical tool relative to the tissue volume, based on the processor output. Embodiments are particularly useful in soft tissue, such as breast, where deformation before and during a procedure such as tumor resection complicate tracking of the tissue volume and a surgical tool.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a reference device that enhances image-guided surgical interventions. The reference device is tracked by the imaging system and used to verify the accuracy of the intervention tool placement before and during the intervention. The reference device holds a reference sensor in a position aligned with patient anatomy, so that images are displayed in the correct orientation to the operator, aiding in target recognition and better navigation. Also provided are methods using the reference device and programmed computer media for implementing at least a part of the methods.

Abstract: A method for segmenting bones on magnetic resonance (MR) images includes retrieving an MR image and performing an enhancement process on the MR image to generate a bone enhanced MR image. The bone enhanced MR image is then registered to a computer tomography (CT) based bone atlas. An MR image with bone segmentation is generated by segmenting the bone enhanced MR image using the CT based bone atlas as a mask. The MR image with bone segmentation may be presented on a display.

Abstract: A method for segmenting bones on magnetic resonance (MR) images includes retrieving an MR image and performing an enhancement process on the MR image to generate a bone enhanced MR image. The bone enhanced MR image is then registered to a computer tomography (CT) based bone atlas. An MR image with bone segmentation is generated by segmenting the bone enhanced MR image using the CT based bone atlas as a mask. The MR image with bone segmentation may be presented on a display.