Abstract: Disclosed herein is navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the navigation system imports a planning method using patient specific pre-operative images. The navigation system uses intraoperative imaging during the medical procedure to update the preoperative images and provides images of tracked surgical tools along the surgical path prepared from the preoperative images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for adaptively and interoperatively configuring an automated arm used during a medical procedure. The automated arm is configured to position and orient an end effector on the automated arm a desired distance and orientation from a target. The end effector may be an external video scope and the target may be a surgical port. The positions and orientations of the end effector and the target may be continuously updated. The position of the arm may be moved to new locations responsive to user commands. The automated arm may include a multi-joint arm attached to a weighted frame. The weighted frame may include a tower and a supporting beam.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing an evolvable tissue model of a patient and, using this model, modelling physical transformations of the tissue (e.g. deformation) of the tissue model by interacting the tissue model with influence models which model interactions with the tissue such as surgical instruments, pressure, swelling, temperature changes etc. The model is produced from a set of input data of the tissue which includes directional information of the tissue. The directional information is used to produce an oriented tissue map. A tissue model is then produced from the oriented tissue map such that the tissue model reflects the directionality of the tissue component. When the tissue model is subjected to an influence that causes tissue deformation over a period of time, the tissue model directionally deforms over the period of time in a manner which reflects a trajectory of the influence interacting with the directionality of the tissue component.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for controlling a surgical navigation system are provided. The method 1 comprises receiving image data at a processor from a tracking system; receiving, at a processor, an identifier of a surgical instrument within a field of view of the tracking system; generating, at the processor, output data based on the identifier of the surgical instrument; and transmitting the output data to at least one output device connected to the processor, for controlling the output device.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which devices that are employed during a medical procedure are adaptively configured during the medical procedure, based on input or feedback that is associated with the current state, phase or context of the medical procedure. In some example embodiments, the input is obtained via the identification of one or more medical instruments present within a region of interest, and this input may be employed to determine configuration parameters for configuring the device. In other example embodiments, the input may be based on the image-based detection of a measure associated with the phase or context of the medical procedure, and this input may be employed to adaptively control the device based on the inferred context or phase of the medical procedure. In other embodiments, images from one imaging modality may be employed to adaptively switch to another imaging modality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which devices that are employed during a medical procedure are adaptively configured during the medical procedure, based on input or feedback that is associated with the current state, phase or context of the medical procedure. In some example embodiments, the input is obtained via the identification of one or more medical instruments present within a region of interest, and this input may be employed to determine configuration parameters for configuring the device. In other example embodiments, the input may be based on the image-based detection of a measure associated with the phase or context of the medical procedure, and this input may be employed to adaptively control the device based on the inferred context or phase of the medical procedure. In other embodiments, images from one imaging modality may be employed to adaptively switch to another imaging modality.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for adaptively and interoperatively configuring an automated arm used during a medical procedure. The automated arm is configured to position and orient an end effector on the automated arm a desired distance and orientation from a target. The end effector may be an external video scope and the target may be a surgical port. The positions and orientations of the end effector and the target may be continuously updated. The position of the arm may be moved to new locations responsive to user commands. The automated arm may include a multi-joint arm attached to a weighted frame. The weighted frame may include a tower and a supporting beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which local tissue diagnostic measurements are correlated with archival local tissue diagnostic data from prior tissue analyses to supplement diagnostic measurements with tissue analysis data from prior tissue analyses having similar local tissue diagnostic data. The tissue analysis data may include information such as pathology data, outcome data, and diagnosis data. The archived local tissue diagnostic data and the tissue analysis data may be stored in a database, and employed for a wide variety of methods, involving preoperative, intraoperative, and/or postoperative phases of a medical procedure. Methods and systems are also provided for displaying, on a medical image shown in a user interface, hyperlinked reference markers associated with tissue analyses, where the reference markers are shown at locations corresponding to local tissue analyses, and where associated diagnostic data and/or tissue analysis may be viewed by selecting a given reference marker.

Abstract: Mechanisms for image processing are provided. A computing device comprises a memory, an input device, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure and store it in the memory. The processor renders on the display (i) an initial volume of the three-dimensional image corresponding to an initial portion of the anatomical structure, and (ii) a moveable control element. The initial volume has an outer surface defined by a position of the control element. The processor receives input data updating the position of the control element relative to the initial volume; and renders on the display, in place of the initial volume, a further volume of the three-dimensional image, corresponding to a further portion of the anatomical structure and having a further outer surface defined by the updated position of the control element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for adaptively and interoperatively configuring an automated arm used during a medical procedure. The automated arm is configured to position and orient an end effector on the automated arm a desired distance and orientation from a target. The end effector may be an external video scope and the target may be a surgical port. The positions and orientations of the end effector and the target may be continuously updated. The position of the arm may be moved to new locations responsive to user commands. The automated arm may include a multi-joint arm attached to a weighted frame. The weighted frame may include a tower and a supporting beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are planning, navigation and simulation systems and methods for minimally invasive therapy in which the planning method and system uses patient specific pre-operative images. The planning system allows for multiple paths to be developed from the pre-operative images, and scores the paths depending on desired surgical outcome of the surgery and the navigation systems allow for minimally invasive port based surgical procedures, as well as craniotomies in the particular case of brain surgery.

Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.

Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.