Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, a first monolithic wire, and a second monolithic wire. The first monolithic wire forms a first sensor that is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body. The first sensor is configured to detect the position of a distal end of the elongated body within anatomy of a patient. The second monolithic wire forms a second sensor that is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body a known distance from the first sensor. The first and second sensors are configured to determine the position of the distal end portion within six degrees-of-freedom. A method of manufacturing the flexible catheter is also provided.

Abstract: Example fiducial markers include features that make them particularly useful in dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws of a patient, wherein the dental scanning methods involve taking multiple scans of the jaws, and/or models thereof, and then shifting the image of one scan to match that of another. Prior to scanning, the fiducial markers are attached to the patient's jaws to accurately identify and track the relative position of the jaws.

Abstract: A system includes an interventional instrument and a control system. The control system is configured to: generate a graphical user interface (GUI) including an image of a target region for deploying the interventional instrument, wherein the target region includes a plurality of target points and is determined by a probabilistic collection of the plurality of target points, wherein a size of the target region is based at least in part on a location of a target structure within a patient anatomy; responsive to an engagement of the interventional instrument with tissue in the target region, update the GUI to include an engagement location marker; and responsive to the engagement of the interventional instrument, update the GUI to include an image of a revised target region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing navigation of a medical device with respect to a target using a live fluoroscopic view. The methods include determining a level of zoom of a fluoroscope when acquiring a reference frame. The methods further include determining whether the live fluoroscopic images evidence movement of the fluoroscope relative to its position when capturing a reference frame.

Abstract: An electrochemical impedance spectrogram (EIS) measurement system includes a working electrode configured to provide a triangular excitation signal to a subject, and a counter electrode configured to measure an electrical parameter in response to the triangular excitation signal. Based on the triangular excitation signal and the measured electrical parameter, an EIS of the subject is obtained. A method for measuring an EIS of a subject includes causing a triangular excitation signal to be applied to a subject and obtaining electrical parameter measurements in response to the triangular excitation signal. The EIS of the subject is obtained based on the triangular excitation signal and the electrical parameter measurements.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved systems and methods for performing computer-aided surgical navigation using augmented reality. A tracking device having one or more optically detectable points is mounted to a patient via surgical hardware. The detectable points are identified by a sensor. One or more augmented reality marker assemblies that each have an augmented reality fiducial marker or symbol are also attached to the tracking device. A computer system generates augmented reality information and transmits it to a display screen, such as a near-eye augmented reality device, for display thereon. The near-eye augmented reality device also has an image capture device capable of capturing the augmented reality symbols, and thereby determining a three-dimensional orientation associated with the tracking device, augmented reality markers, and a user wearing the near-eye reality device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying an overlay superimposed with an intraoperative image of surgical field in a medical ophthalmic procedure, such that the overlay appears at a desired depth within the image are provided. Methods and system for displaying an overlay superimposed with a stereoscopic intraoperative image pair of a surgical field in a medical ophthalmic procedure are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for providing image guidance for placement of one or more medical devices at a target location. The system can determine one or more intersections between a medical device and an image region based at least in part on first emplacement data and second emplacement data. Using the determined intersections, the system can cause one or more displays to display perspective views of image guidance cues, including an intersection indicator in a virtual 3D space.

Abstract: Provided in accordance with the present disclosure are systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing guidance for positioning a body and a surgical robot. An exemplary system includes an image capture device configured to capture an image of a surgical training environment and generate image data of the surgical training environment, a head-mounted display, and a computing device configured to receive a surgical training parameter, receive the image data of the surgical training environment, detect a pose of the table and the surgical robot, generate a virtual training environment based on the surgical training environment, determine a pose of a user relative to the surgical training environment, generate guidance for positioning a body on the table or the surgical robot about the body, based on the surgical training parameter and the determined pose of the user, and cause the head-mounted display to display the generated guidance.

Abstract: A surgical needle comprising: (a) a sensor; (b) a distal tip with the sensor being located at the distal tip; (c) a needle advancing mechanism that is adjustable to change an insertion depth; and (d) a control unit in communication with the needle advancing mechanism; wherein the sensor provides a signal to the control unit regarding a thickness of a feature of interest and the control unit controls the insertion depth based upon the signal from the sensor so that the insertion depth into the feature of interest is varied or the control unit prevents the needle advancing mechanism from activating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for assisting in guiding and performing a procedure on a subject. The subject may be any appropriate subject such as inanimate object and/or an animate object. The guide and system may include various manipulable or movable members, such as robotic systems, and may be registered to selected coordinate systems.

Abstract: Active end-effectors for guiding an instrument during a robot-assisted surgery. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and the active end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The active end-effector may have a slide mechanism, which may provide for a greater range of motion of a surgical instrument along a vertical axis.

Abstract: An insert having a photoacoustic wave generation portion, an acoustic wave detection unit that detects photoacoustic waves and reflected acoustic waves, an acoustic image generation unit that generates a B mode acoustic image on the basis of the reflected acoustic waves, a photoacoustic image generation unit that generates a photoacoustic image on the basis of the photoacoustic waves, an image output unit that outputs a display image obtained by synthesizing the B mode acoustic image and the photoacoustic image, and a control unit that controls a detection frequency of the photoacoustic waves used in a case where the photoacoustic image is generated in the photoacoustic image generation unit on the basis of a resolution of the B mode acoustic image forming the display image are included.

Abstract: A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a catheter and an end effector extending distally from the catheter. The method includes forming at least one electrode, sensor, or thermocouple onto the catheter or the end effector of the surgical instrument by etching or vapor depositing a three-dimensional structure onto a non-conductive material that is layered over a super elastic material.

Abstract: Provided are a stent that has guaranteed high bonding strength between a strut and an opaque member and has high reliability to prevent the opaque member from coming off in a luminal structure; and a method for inspecting such a stent. A stent according to the invention includes: a leg portion provided with protrusions; and an opaque member that is provided along the longitudinal direction of the protrusions to cover the protrusions, the opaque member being highly opaque to radiation, the opaque member having: sparse areas with a spacing ratio higher than a predetermined spacing ratio; and a dense area with a spacing ratio lower than the predetermined spacing ratio, the opaque member being fixed on or to the protrusions with adhesives in the sparse areas.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing custom surgical implant design are disclosed. The disclosed apparatus designs and installs customized surgical implants to minimize the recovery of the patient. The system uses imaging data to identify the least invasive installation path, and determines the maximum dimensions of the surgical implant components. The system virtually segments the surgical implant into subcomponents, and modifies the subcomponents such that they can be inserted following the identified least invasive path.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, such as, but not limited to, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), single mode OCT, and/or multi-modal OCT apparatuses and systems, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for calculating lumen distance(s), including based on real-time A-line signal(s), are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Fast A-line lumen segmentation methods, which can be applied real-time to a whole arterial pullback, and devices, systems, and storage mediums for use with same, are provided herein.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. The system also includes one or more sensors that are operable to visually sense a surface feature of the trocar. One or more processors determine a position and orientation of the trocar, based on the visually sensed surface feature. In response, the processor controls the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar and to guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. To support integrated motion with a table physically separate from and communicatively coupled to the computer-assisted device via a communications connection, the control unit is configured to receive a table movement request from a table command unit of the table, determine whether the table movement request should be allowed, and allow the table to perform the table movement request based on determining that the table movement request should be allowed.

Abstract: An integrated imaging and device deployment platform and method may include a catheter, at least one imaging unit, at least one deployment unit, and at least one device configured to be deployed by the at least one deployment unit. The integrated imaging and device deployment platform facilitates improved navigation and deployment of a therapeutic or medical device by providing the at least one imaging unit proximate the deployment unit. Information generated from the at least one imaging unit may be utilized with additional imaging modalities to provide improved imaging and delivery of devices while reducing use of X-ray radiation and contrast injection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an implanted medical device, such as a vascular access port. The implanted medical device may include at least one passive RFID tag that has disposed thereon information about the implanted medical device. The at least one passive RFID tag is designed to be interrogated by a detector associated with an external device, such as an infusion set with an access needle. The interrogating signal induces a return signal from the at least one passive RFID tags. The strength of the return signal may be dependent on the distance and orientation of the tag relative to the detector. The system may be designed to interpret different signal strengths from different RFID tags to guide the needle to a correct insertion position, thereby accessing a port that cannot be readily detected visually or by palpation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adaptive optics system including at least one active pixel sensor array that detects light and sends a signal to a processor. The adaptive optics system also includes a wavefront correction system including at least one wavefront control structure and the processor, and that executes instructions on the processor to produce a digital image in which at least one wavefront distortion in the light detected by the active pixel sensor array is partially or fully corrected. The disclosure also provides methods of using the adaptive optics system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a processor (20) configured to receive first and second sets of extraluminal images of a lumen, the second set being acquired while an endoluminal device is being moved through the lumen. The processor designates at least one of the first set of images as a roadmap image, and designates, within the lumen in the roadmap image, a roadmap pathway (42). A plurality of features (44, 46, 48, 50) that are visible within at least some of the second set of extraluminal images are identified, and an arrangement of three or more of the features within the image are compared to a shape of at least a portion of the roadmap pathway. Based upon the comparing, the identified features are mapped to locations along the roadmap pathway within the roadmap image. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed to a computing platform configured to execute one or more automated artificial intelligence models, wherein the one or more automated artificial intelligence models includes a neural network model, wherein the one or more automated artificial intelligence models are trained on a plurality of radiographic images from a data layer to detect a plurality of anatomical structures or a plurality of hardware, wherein at least one anatomical structure is a pelvic teardrop and a symphysis pubis joint; detecting at a plurality of anatomical structures in a radiographic image of a subject, wherein the plurality of anatomical structures are detected by the computing platform by the step of classifying the radiographic image with reference to a subject good side radiographic image; and constructing a graphical representation of data, wherein the graphical representation is a subject specific functional pelvis grid; the subject specific functional pelvis grid generated based upon th

Abstract: Systems and related methods to estimate, for a liquid dynamic system, flow or resistance based on a model of an object and pressure measurements collected in-situ at said object. Alternatively, pressure flow measurements are collected and pressure or resistance is being estimated.

Abstract: A magnetic positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes a magnetic field sensing system on a laser head and a magnet on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The magnetic field sensing system includes four magnetic field sensors located on a horizontal plane for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet, where one pair of sensors are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative magnitudes of the magnetic field detected by each pair of sensors, the magnetic field sensing system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods estimate poses of a fluoroscopic imaging device, which may be used to reconstruct 3D volumetric data of a target area, based on a sequence of fluoroscopic images of a medical device or points, e.g., radiopaque markers, on the medical device captured by performing a fluoroscopic sweep. The systems and methods may identify and track the points along a length of the medical device appearing in the captured fluoroscopic images. The 3D coordinates of the points may be obtained, for example, from electromagnetic sensors or by performing a structure from motion method on the captured fluoroscopic images. In other aspects, a 3D shape of the catheter is determined, then the angle at which the 3D catheter projects onto the 2D catheter in each captured fluoroscopic image is found.

Abstract: A system may include an expandable member, and a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing robotically-assisted surgery in conjunction with intra-operative imaging. A method includes moving a robotic arm with respect to a patient and an imaging device to move an end effector of the robotic arm to a pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient based on imaging data of the patient obtained by the imaging device. The robotic arm maintains the end effector in the pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient and does not collide with the imaging device or with the patient when the imaging device moves with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A system includes a surgical tool, a robot holding the surgical tool, and non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the robot to perform operations including automatically moving the surgical tool to a virtual geometry correlated with an anatomical structure and forcing, following arrival of the surgical tool at the virtual geometry, the surgical tool to stay at the virtual geometry while allowing manual repositioning of the surgical tool along the virtual geometry.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for co-registering electro-anatomical images are provided. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, treatment locations are displayed to the physician on an image of the remodeled heart by co-registering first and second electro-anatomical images based on: (1) a first electro-anatomical image of an anatomy, (2) treatment location data indicating treatment locations with respect to the first electro-anatomical image, (3) a second electro-anatomical image of the anatomy after the anatomy has remodeled, and (4) a non-rigid transformation that transforms the first electro-anatomical image to the second electro-anatomical image of the remodeled anatomy. The non-rigid transformation is applied to the treatment location data to map the treatment locations to the second electro-anatomical image of the remodeled anatomy.

Abstract: A control device and a control method of a master-slave system and the master-slave system are provided. A control device, which controls an operation of a master-slave system, includes a control unit that applies, to a control system of the master-slave system, a restraint force corresponding to an operation in a desired translational or rotational direction by the master. The control unit applies, to the control system, the restraint force according to a difference between a current position or posture of the master and a reference value of a position or posture to be restrained. The control system controls the master-slave system, for example, by a bilateral control method or a unilateral control method.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a path planning device for multi-probe joint cryoablation, the device comprising a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the following steps: acquiring a target region in a medical scanned image of a target object and corresponding to a target tissue to be cryoablated; selecting a single-probe ablation region from the target region; for the single-probe ablation region, obtaining a puncture path of single-probe cryoablation and a corresponding ice ball coverage region; and if the ice ball coverage region does not completely cover target region, then taking the remaining region of the target region from which the ice ball coverage region is excluded as a new target region, and returning to the step of selecting the selecting the single-probe ablation region from the target region.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an ultrasonic system including a transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade, A method of delivering energy to the device may include sensing a vessel contacting the blade, identifying that the vessel is calcified, and generating a warning. In some aspects, the method further includes disabling one or more activation functions of the blade. In another aspect, the method further includes generating a message to apply compression to the vessel for a predetermined period, disabling activation functions of the blade during compression, and enabling activation functions after the expiration of the compression period. In yet another aspect, the method includes applying a compressive clamp force to the calcified vessel by driving a clamp arm toward the blade, disabling activation functions of the blade during compression, and enabling the activation functions after adjusting the compressive force. An ultrasonic surgical instrument may effect the method.

Abstract: During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, inaccuracies in locating the areas of interest mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. A magnetic field probe 100, 1010, 102, 103 is provided that improves determination of a disposition of an implantable magnetic marker 200, the probe comprising a first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensor, substantially disposed along a transverse axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the probe 150. The first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensors are close to the distal end 160 of the probe, and are separated by a minor sensor separation. A third 120, 130 magnetic sensor is provided close to the proximal end 165, separated by a major sensor separation from the second magnetic sensor 110, 120 close to the distal end 160, the major sensor separation being larger than the minor sensor separation; and the ratio of the major sensor separation to the minor sensor separation is in the range 1.

Abstract: A system for determining cardiac targets is provided. The system may include at least one processing device configured to carry out instructions to receive cardiac imaging data, segment the cardiac imaging data to identify at least two types of cardiac tissue, generate a cardiac model based on the identified tissue, simulate cardiac activity based on the generated cardiac model, and identify at least one cardiac target based on the simulation. A cardiac therapy system may be utilized to provide feedback to a user in order to guide a cardiac treatment device to a cardiac target.

Abstract: Methods and a kit for a navigated procedure, such as a navigated surgical procedure relate to an optical sensor system such as a sterile optical sensor system. The methods relate to using components of the optical sensor system and a processing unit, for example, performing a navigated procedure using an optical sensor as draped and using the processing unit coupled to the optical sensor. Performing the navigated procedure comprises receiving instructions for the navigated procedure from the processing unit, and using the optical sensor comprises interacting with a button on the optical sensor through the drape to provide input to the processing unit. A kit comprises optical sensor system components and instructions for performing a method.

Abstract: A method includes providing a standard control boundary defining a portion of a bone to be resected, registering a position of a soft tissue at the bone, obtaining a customized control boundary by moving a vertex of the standard control boundary based on the position of the soft tissue, and controlling a robotic device to constrain operation of a cutting tool to an area defined by the customized control boundary.

Abstract: Systems, methods and a sensor alignment mechanism are disclosed for medical navigational guidance systems. In one example, a system to make sterile a non-sterile optical sensor for use in navigational guidance during surgery includes a sterile drape having an optically transparent window to drape the optical sensor in a sterile barrier and a sensor alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism secures the sensor through the drape in alignment with the window without breaching the sterile barrier and facilitates adjustment of the orientation of the optical sensor. The optical sensor may be aligned to view a surgical site when the alignment mechanism, assembled with the sterile drape and optical sensor, is attached to a bone. The alignment mechanism may be a lockable ball joint and facilitate orientation of the sensor in at least two degrees of freedom. A quick connect mechanism may couple the alignment mechanism to the bone.

Abstract: A safety system for laser treatment, comprising a robotic controller configured to monitor a distance between a treatment device and a treatment area, the robotic controller configured to detect a manual movement of the treatment device and to generate a counterbalancing force in response to the manual movement and wherein the robotic controller is configured to increase the counterbalancing force if the distance between the treatment device and the treatment area is less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to: (a) receive electrical signals indicative of measured positions of (i) one or more chest position sensors attached externally to a chest of a patient, and (ii) one or more back position sensors attached externally to a back of the patient; (b) compare between (i) a first shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more chest position sensors, and (ii) a second shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more back position sensors; and (c) produce an alert in response to detecting a discrepancy between the first and second shifts. The output device is configured to output the alert to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure allow the ring, arc, and linear offset values for a stereotactic frame to be determined for a cranial procedure without requiring a CT scan to be acquired with the fiducial frame attached. Having the ring, arc, and offset values available for a cranial procedure allows the surgeon to revert to traditional stereotactic ring-arc frame guidance as a fallback strategy in case a robot cannot be used. This disclosure also provides an alternate method for registering a ring-arc system to the medical image volume for facilities having no CT scanner or scanner with limited field of view such that the intended fiducial localizer cannot be used.

Abstract: A method of guiding an interventional instrument within a patient anatomy comprises processing a target location within the patient anatomy and receiving a position for a tip portion of an interventional instrument at a first location within the patient anatomy. The method also comprises determining a three-dimensional distance between the first location and the target location and displaying a symbol representing the target location and a symbol representing the tip portion of the interventional instrument.

Abstract: This patent provides a method and apparatus for improving display of images of a virtual scene on an extended reality display. Specifically, this patent provides a method and apparatus to use different portions of the display based on a look angle of a user. For example, if a user looks at a nearby virtual object, more medially positioned portions of the display are utilized.

Abstract: A system for determining location of an interventional medical device within a patient includes a controller that controls an ultrasound probe to emit imaging beams at different times and angles relative to the ultrasound probe. The system also includes an interventional medical device with an attached sensor that receives the imaging beams together with repetitive noise. The controller further identifies the repetitive noise received at the sensor, including identifying the rate at which the repetitive noise is repeated and identifying the times at which the repetitive noise is received at the sensor. The controller further offsets the repetitive noise in signals received at the sensor by interpolating the signals based on the imaging beams. The controller determines the location of the interventional medical device based on the offset signals.

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 surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft assembly, a processor, and a memory is disclosed. The shaft assembly is replaceably connected to the housing. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector. The memory is configured to store program instructions which, when executed from the memory cause the processor to send an electrical interrogation signal to the attached shaft assembly, receive a response signal from the attached shaft assembly, cause a default function to be performed when a response signal is not received by the attached shaft assembly, determine an identifying characteristic of the attached shaft assembly as a result of the performance of the default function, and modify a control program based on the identifying characteristic of the attached shaft assembly.

Abstract: A medical system comprises a medical instrument system and an assembly removably coupled to the medical instrument system. The assembly is configured to operate the medical instrument system by moving it within an anatomic passageway. The medical system also comprises a sensor system coupled to the instrument system and configured to generate information including spatial data and shape data about the instrument system. The medical system also comprises a control system communicatively coupled to the instrument system, the assembly, and the sensor system. The control system receives, from the sensor system, a first set of the spatial data including position information for a distal end of the medical instrument system during a plurality of time periods. The control system also receives the shape data from the sensor system and filters the first set of the spatial data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concept for computer-assisted procedures of surgery and diagnosis that target rigid, non-deformable anatomical parts such as bone, tissue, or teeth. The disclosure describes attaching small visual markers to instruments and anatomy of interest (e.g. bone surface), with each marker having a printed known pattern for detection and unique identification in images acquired by a free-moving camera, and a geometry that enables estimating its rotation and translation with respect to the camera using solely image processing techniques.