Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly is configured to be associated with a table supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly is configured to be associated with a table supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object can include a localized magnetic field generator that is configured to generate a magnetic field and to control the magnetic field in an area of interest and configured to control the magnetic field in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component. The object can be located in the area of interest.

Abstract: A roll-detecting sensor assembly includes a coil extending along and disposed about an axis. The coil comprises one or more portions, with each portion defining a winding angle. At least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is substantially nonzero relative to a line perpendicular to the axis, whereby the projected area of the coil in an applied magnetic field changes as the coil rotates about the axis. As a result, the coil is configured to produce a signal responsive to the magnetic field indicative of the roll of the sensor about the axis. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is at least 2 degrees. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is about 45 degrees.

Abstract: A roll-detecting sensor assembly includes a coil extending along and disposed about an axis. The coil comprises one or more portions, with each portion defining a winding angle. At least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is substantially nonzero relative to a line perpendicular to the axis, whereby the projected area of the coil in an applied magnetic field changes as the coil rotates about the axis. As a result, the coil is configured to produce a signal responsive to the magnetic field indicative of the roll of the sensor about the axis. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is at least 2 degrees. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is about 45 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object can include a localized magnetic field generator that is configured to generate a magnetic field and to control the magnetic field in an area of interest and configured to control the magnetic field in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component. The object can be located in the area of interest.

Abstract: A system for superimposing virtual anatomical landmarks on an image includes a medical positioning system (MPS) for producing location readings with respect to points within a region of interest in accordance with an output of a location sensor disposed in a medical device. A coordinate system of the MPS is registered with an image coordinate system. A control unit receives a signal from a user to record a location reading when the medical device is at a desired point in the region of interest where the user desires to place a virtual landmark, modifies the recorded location reading for motion compensation, transforms the motion-compensated location reading from the MPS coordinate system to the image coordinate system to produce a target location, and then superimposes a representation of the virtual landmark on the image at the target location.

Abstract: A method for registering a three dimensional (3D) coordinates system with a Medical Positioning System (MPS) coordinate system and with a two dimensional (2D) coordinate system, includes acquiring at least one 2D image of a volume of interest, the volume of interest including at least one tubular organ within the body of a patient. The 2D image is associated with the 2D coordinate system, and a plurality of MPS points is acquired, within the at least one tubular organ. The MPS points are associated with the MPS coordinate system, the MPS coordinate system being registered with the 2D coordinate system. A 3D image model is extracted of the at least one tubular organ form a pre-acquired 3D image of the volume of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object (12) can include a localized magnetic field generator (76) that is configured to generate a magnetic field (621) and to control the magnetic field (621) in an area of interest (38) and configured to control the magnetic field (621) in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest (38) and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component (86). The object (12) can be located in the area of interest (38).

Abstract: A system for registering a group of images of an anatomical region of a patient in a coordinate system of a medical system is disclosed. The system includes an object disposed in a known position in the coordinate system. In one embodiment, the object has a first state in which the object is visible in at least one image and a second state in which the object is invisible in at least another image. In another embodiment, the object is substantially invisible to the eye in each image, but detectable by image processing. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to process the images to identify an image location of the object, create a transformation model responsive to the image location and the known position of the object in the coordinate system, and register the group of images in the coordinate system using the model.

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly is configured to be associated with a table supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality.

Abstract: A method for registering a three dimensional (3D) coordinates system with a Medical Positioning System (MPS) coordinate system and with a two dimensional (2D) coordinate system, includes acquiring at least one 2D image of a volume of interest, the volume of interest including at least one tubular organ within the body of a patient. The 2D image is associated with the 2D coordinate system, and a plurality of MPS points is acquired, within the at least one tubular organ. The MPS points are associated with the MPS coordinate system, the MPS coordinate system being registered with the 2D coordinate system. A 3D image model is extracted of the at least one tubular organ form a pre-acquired 3D image of the volume of interest.

Abstract: System for registering a first image with a second image, the system including a first medical positioning system for detecting a first position and orientation of the body of a patient, a second medical positioning system for detecting a second position and orientation of the body, and a registering module coupled with a second imager and with the second medical positioning system, the first medical positioning system being associated with and coupled with a first imager, the first imager acquiring the first image from the body, the first imager producing the first image by associating the first image with the first position and orientation, the second medical positioning system being associated with and coupled with the second imager, the second imager acquiring the second image and associating the second image with the second position and orientation, the registering module registering the first image with the second image, according to the first position and orientation and the second position and orienta

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly (44) is configured to be associated with a table (20) supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters (57A) that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters (57A) are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality. A plurality of transmitters is arranged in a first layer of the assembly. Each transmitter (57A) comprises an elongate conductive element, such as a wire, arranged in a spiral form, such as a coil.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a positioning system and a patient reference sensor (PRS). The positioning system acquires a plurality of raw PRS readings over time, which can indicate the position and orientation of the PRS. A filter is configured to process the raw PRS readings and output filtered PRS readings. The filter outputs filtered PRS readings as a baseline value while the raw PRS readings stay within a predetermined range and output filtered PRS readings as unchanged raw PRS readings when the raw PRS readings reach or vary outside of the predetermined range. A motion compensation function generated based on at least the filtered PRS readings can be used to correct a subject position and orientation (P&O) to compensate for the motion of the moving region of interest over time.

Abstract: In a medical apparatus including a medical imaging system and a medical position and navigation system (MPS), the medical imaging system including an imaging transmitter, periodically emitting imaging radiation and an imaging detector, the medical position and navigation system including at least one MPS transmitter periodically transmitting MPS radiation and at least one MPS detector, the MPS radiation electromagnetically interfering with at least one mode of operation of the imaging detector, a device for eliminating interference to the imaging detector caused by positioning radiation, the device comprising a synchronizer, coupled with the medical imaging system and with the medical position and navigation system, synchronizing the imaging detector and each the at least one MPS transmitter, so that neither of the at least one MPS transmitter transmits during the at least one mode of operation of the imaging detector.