Vanderbilt University

Pathfinder Therapeutics, Inc.

Analogic Corporation

James D Stefansic

Robert L Galloway

Prashanth Dumpuri

Alan J Herline

William C Chapman

Senhu Li

Jonathan M Waite

Michael I Miga

Logan W Clements

Tuhin K Sinha

Brian Lennon

Candice Danielle Pinson

Robert C G Martin

Benjamin W Neese

David M Cash

Systems, apparatus and methods for localizing and/or determining the relative position of surgical instruments during a surgical procedure are disclosed. A method includes capturing an image depicting at least a portion of a first surgical instrument disposed at a first position with respect to a target tissue, and at least a portion of a second surgical instrument disposed at a second position with respect to the target tissue, the second position different from the first position. The method includes transforming the image to a three-dimensional model so the first position of the portion of the first surgical instrument is rendered with the three-dimensional model, and the second position of the portion of the second surgical instrument is rendered with the three-dimensional model. The method includes calculating distance between the portion of the first surgical instrument and the portion of the second surgical instrument based on the three dimensional model.

Apparatus and methods for localization and relative positioning of a surgical instrument

A system and method to conduct image segmentation by imaging target morphological shapes evolving from one 2-dimension (2-D) image slice to one or more nearby neighboring 2-D images taken from a 3-dimension (3-D) image. One area defined by a user as a target on an image slice can be found in a corresponding area on a nearby neighboring image slice by using a deformation field generated with deformable image registration procedure between these two image slices. It allows the user to distinguish target and background areas with the same or similar image intensities.

Image segmentation of organs and anatomical structures

A system and method for using pre-procedural images for registration for image-guided therapy (IGT), also referred to as image-guided intervention (IGI), in percutaneous surgical application. Pseudo-features and patient abdomen and organ surfaces are used for registration and to establish the relationship needed for guidance. Three-dimensional visualizations of the vasculature, tumor(s), and organs may be generated for enhanced guidance information. The invention facilitates extensive pre-procedural planning, thereby significantly reducing procedural times. It also minimizes the patient exposure to radiation.

System and method for abdominal surface matching using pseudo-features

A method and apparatus for collecting and processing physical space data used while performing image-guided surgery is disclosed. Physical space data is collected by probing physical surface points of surgically exposed tissue. The physical space data provides three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates for each of the physical surface points. Based on the physical space data collected, point-based registrations used to indicate surgical position in both image space and physical space are determined. In one embodiment, the surface of surgically exposed tissue of a living patient is illuminated with laser light. Light reflected from the illuminated surface of the exposed tissue is received and analyzed. In another embodiment, one or more magnetic fields of known shape and size are established in the proximity of the exposed tissue. Data associated with the strength of the magnetic fields is acquired and analyzed.

Method and apparatus for collecting and processing physical space data for use while performing image-guided surgery

A method and apparatus for collecting and processing physical space data used while performing image-guided surgery is disclosed. Physical space data is collected by probing physical surface points of surgically exposed tissue. The physical space data provides three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates for each of the physical surface points. Based on the physical space data collected, point-based registrations used to indicate surgical position in both image space and physical space are determined. The registrations are used to map into image space, image data describing the physical space of an ablative instrument used to perform the image-guided surgery, an ablation zone of the instrument, the surgically exposed tissue, and a particular portion of the tissue to be resected or ablated. The image data is updated on a periodic basis.

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Nashville, TN, United States of America

James D Stefansic