Provided herein are systems and methods for performing localization within a patient. A method of localization within a body comprises providing at least one processor coupled to at least one data storage device, establishing and calibrating a localization coordinate system within a body by executing a first localization mode by the at least one processor, recalibrating the localization coordinate system by executing a second localization mode by the at least one processor, and localizing a device within the localization coordinate system using the first localization mode and the second localization mode, by the at least one processor. The first localization mode can be an impedance-based localization mode and the second localization mode can be magnetic-based localization mode, or vice versa.

Implantable apparatus includes two or more alignable marker elements, and systems and methods for manufacturing such implantable apparatus, and methods to utilize such implantable apparatus. For example, the implantable apparatus may include a first alignable marker element and a second alignable marker element that may be used to ensure proper alignment with a target site.

A biopsy imaging rod (100) includes an elongated rod member (200) having a sharp distal end (210) and a channel extending from a proximal end to an egress port (220) near the distal end, and it also includes an onboard biopsy marker (400) positioned in the channel proximal to the egress port. The biopsy imaging rod also includes a pushrod (300) slideably positioned in the channel adjacent to the biopsy marker extending from the proximal end of the elongated rod member to the egress port, the pushrod biased to bend toward the biopsy marker. The biopsy imaging rod may additionally include an imageable portion between the distal end and the egress port. Methods for making and using the biopsy imaging rod are also disclosed.

A controller (120) for simultaneously tracking multiple sensors in a medical intervention includes a circuit (121-181) that causes the controller (120) to execute a process. The process executed by the circuit (121-181) includes receiving first and second signals respectively from a first and a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) used in the medical intervention. The first and second signals respectively include first and second sensor information indicative of respective locations of the first and the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2). The process executed by the circuit (121-181) also includes combining (120) the first signal and the second signal for transmission over only one channel, and providing the first signal and the second signal over the only one channel to a system (190) that determines the location of the first passive ultrasound sensor (51) and the location of the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) and that has only the one channel to receive the first signal and the second signal.

A system for tracking a medical device includes an introducer. Two or more sensors are disposed along a length of the introducer and are spaced apart along the length. An interface is configured to connect to the introducer such that the introducer and the interface operatively couple to and support the medical device wherein the two or more sensors are configured to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the medical device using medical imaging.

There is described a system and a method for assisting a user manipulating an object during a surgery, the method comprising: tracking the object in a sterile field in which surgery is being performed at a location using a tracking device which generates tracking data; processing the tracking data using a processing device located outside the sterile field to generate position and orientation information related to the object; and sending the position and orientation information related to the object to a displaying device positioned in the sterile field adjacent to the location at which the surgery is being performed, for display to the user.

A hydrogel marker is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the marker. The elastic limit of the marker is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the marker substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated marker is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

A cannula defines a cannula axis and extends from the body of a localization device. An actuation system and a control rod are slidably and rotatably disposed within the body and the cannula. The control rod is operatively coupled to the actuation system for both slidable actuation and rotatable actuation.

Marking device (100) for implantation into a tissue (260), having a support structure (102) which is formed by at least one elastic metal wire, is compressible and is self-expanding and which, in an expanded state, encompasses an interior space (104), characterized in that the marking device (100) is designed to transform itself on its own from a compressed state into an expanded state, even against a tissue pressure prevailing at a tissue site to be marked, and the marking device (100) in the expanded state has a hollow, approximately spherical shape.

A marker delivery device including a delivery catheter, a marker, and a push rod. The delivery catheter is adapted to be inserted into a biopsy site and having a discharge opening. The marker having a coating layer disposed on the surface of a core. The coating layer includes an adhesive with a plurality of microbubbles. The microbubbles are configured to enhance visibility of the marker under ultrasound imaging. The marker is positioned inside the delivery catheter near the discharge opening. The push rod is positioned within the delivery catheter and is adapted to deploy the marker from the delivery catheter into the biopsy site.