A simulation device and method for using same are provided for simulating a position of a replica human spine due to different pathologies and different surgical positions. The simulation device includes a carrier portion rotatably attached to a base portion. The carrier portion supports a first adjuster, a second adjuster, and a third adjuster for supporting various portions of the replica human spine. The carrier portion and the first, second, third supports affording adjustment of the position of the replica human spine.

Systems and methods for performing simulated ablation procedures are disclosed. A system may include a simulated ablation probe, a simulated imaging device, a phantom configured to be engaged by the simulated ablation probe and the simulated imaging device, the phantom representing an anatomical feature, and a workstation in electrical communication with the simulated ablation probe, the simulated imaging device, and the phantom. The workstation is configured to display an image including the representation of the anatomical feature represented by the phantom. The image further includes data associated with the position of the simulated ablation probe relative to the representation of the anatomical feature represented by the phantom.

A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

An apparatus has a device representing an endoscope, the device being either an endoscope or a dummy endoscope having shape and feel resembling an endoscope, and includes a tracker adapted to operate with a three-dimensional tracking system to track location and orientation of the device in three dimensions in a simulated operating-room environment. The apparatus also has a physical head model comprising hard and soft components, the device representing an endoscope configured to be inserted into the physical head model to provide a haptic feedback of endoscopic surgery.

A method of determining a position of a fiducial marker set including a plurality of fiducial markers is disclosed. The method includes a step of receiving image slices captured by a 3-dimensional (3D) imaging device. The image slices are processed to identify positions of centre points of the respective fiducial markers. Based on the identified positions of the centre points, a virtual Cartesian geometry associated with the fiducial marker set is identified. The virtual Cartesian geometry is represented by a plurality of virtual Cartesian coordinate axes that meet at a virtual origin. A fiducial marker set and a control system are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing anatomical models adapted to simulate organs or parts of organs of a patient. The method includes selecting elements of an anatomical structure of an organ or part of an organ from processed images to obtain a three-dimensional computerized model representing the three-dimensional computerized model by a file having a valid format usable in a three-dimensional printing process; selecting at least one material from a first software library of usable material and at least one manufacturing method from a second software library of manufacturing methods based on a parameter representative of a hardness measurement of said organ; modifying the file representative of the three-dimensional computerized model based on the at least one material and the at least one manufacturing method; using the modified file to perform the process for manufacturing the anatomical model by a three-dimensional printing unit.

A method of operating a surgical control system comprises generating an image of a surgical environment from a viewpoint of an imaging tool. The image includes a field of view. The method further comprises displaying the image on a display system configured to be mounted to a head of a user. The method further comprises detecting a movement of the head of the user and determining if the movement of the user's head is within a boundary corresponding to the field of view. The method further comprises, if the movement of the user's head is determined to be within the boundary: generating a changed image of the surgical environment from a changed viewpoint of the imaging tool; and displaying the changed image on the display system. The changed image includes a changed field of view corresponding to the detected movement of the user's head.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, devices and methods for performing a surgical step or surgical procedure with visual guidance using an optical head mounted display. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, devices and methods for displaying, placing, fitting, sizing, selecting, aligning, moving a virtual implant on a physical anatomic structure of a patient and, optionally, modifying or changing the displaying, placing, fitting, sizing, selecting, aligning, moving, for example based on kinematic information.

A system and method for converting static/still medical images of a particular patient into dynamic and interactive images interacting with medical tools including medical devices by coupling a model of tissue dynamics and tool characteristics to the patient specific imagery for simulating a medical procedure in an accurate and dynamic manner by coupling a model of tissue dynamics to patient specific imagery for simulating surgery on the particular patient. The method includes a tool to add and/or to adjust the dynamic image of tissues and ability to draw any geometric shape on the dynamic image of tissues and to add the shape into the modeling system.

An apparatus has a device representing an endoscope, the device being either an endoscope or a dummy endoscope having shape and feel resembling an endoscope, and includes a tracker adapted to operate with a three-dimensional tracking system to track location and orientation of the device in three dimensions in a simulated operating-room environment. The apparatus also has a physical head model comprising hard and soft components, the device representing an endoscope configured to be inserted into the physical head model to provide a haptic feedback of endoscopic surgery.