Abstract: An imaging self-positioning system includes a robotic actuator for manipulating an imaging tool or medical probe and a sensory component for maintaining a normal orientation above patient a treatment site. The imaging tool, typically an US probe, is grasped by an end-effector or similar actuator, and a sensory component engaged with the imaging tool senses an orientation of the tool relative to the treatment surface, and the robotic actuator disposes the imaging tool for maintaining a normal or other predetermined angular alignment with the treatment surface. The treatment surface is a patient epidermal region adjacent an imaged region for identifying anatomical features and surgical targets. A medical probe such as a biopsy needle may accompany the end-effector for movement consistent with the probe, either manually or robotically advanced towards the surgical target.

Abstract: A robotically driven OCT scanning and imaging system provides a 3-dimensional (3D) image rendering based on a 2-dimensional (2D) surface traversal of a Region of Interest (ROI) for immediate depiction of tissue health with an accuracy and portability not available with conventional imaging approaches. A comprehensive scan over the surface of the ROI ensures complete coverage, and a signal indicative of attenuation of the optical scan indicates penetration of the OCT stimulus. The received signal for each location is aggregated, or “stitched” together with the signal received from adjacent locations to provide a full mapping of the scanned region, and rendered as a color or shading map for showing anomalies or sudden variances in tissue health.