An example apparatus includes a shell portion configured to be worn over a head of a subject. The shell portion defines a plurality of apertures. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spherical fiducial structures disposed on the shell portion. Each of the fiducial structures includes a first material doped with a second material. The second material is a contrast agent for magnetic resource imaging (MRI). The apparatus also includes a mounting structure disposed on the shell portion and configured to secure the shell portion to the head of the subject.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A system for instrument guidance is disclosed. The system can include an instrument guide device and a transducer system. The instrument guide device can include an instrument guide and an instrument guide bracket that includes a magnet, and the instrument guide bracket can be removably attachable to the instrument guide. The transducer system can include an ultrasound probe bracket that is removably attachable to an ultrasound probe. Further, the instrument guide device can removably attach to the ultrasound probe bracket. The ultrasound probe bracket can further include a first sensor and second sensor. The first sensor can wirelessly track a position of the magnet to determine position data of the instrument guidance system. And the second sensor can provide power or disengage power to the instrument guidance device when the instrument guide is attached or detached, respectively.

A method for visualizing and targeting anatomical structures inside a patient utilizing a handheld screen device may include grasping the handheld screen device and manipulating a position of the handheld screen device relative to the patient. The handheld screen device may include a camera and a display. The method may also include orienting the camera on the handheld screen device relative to an anatomical feature of the patient by manipulating the position of the handheld screen device relative to the patient, capturing first image data of light reflecting from a surface of the anatomical feature with the camera on the handheld screen device, and comparing the first image data with a pre-operative 3-D image of the patient to determine a location of an anatomical structure located inside the patient and positioned relative to the anatomical feature of the patient.

A system for displaying and interacting with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquired using an MRI system includes an image reconstruction module configured to receive the MRI data and to reconstruct a plurality of images using the MRI data, an image rendering module coupled to the image reconstruction module and configured to generate at least one multidimensional image based on the plurality of images and a user interface device coupled to the image rendering module and located proximate to a workstation of the MRI system. The user interface device is configured to display the at least one multidimensional image in real-time and to facilitate interaction by a user with the multidimensional image in a virtual reality or augmented reality environment.

A method for assembling a catheter is disclosed. The method includes printing conductive traces on at least one flexible substrate and encapsulating the at least one flexible substrate to provide for environmental protection. The at least one encapsulated flexible substrate is inserted into a shaft of a catheter. Then, connectors are attached to each end of the at least one encapsulated flexible substrate. One set of the connectors are further attached to sensors located at a distal end of the catheter and another set of the connectors are further attached to electronics in a handle of the catheter.

A positioning system includes a group of positioning devices including a first device comprising a first positioning source associated with a first positioning modality, the first positioning source being configured to view a first field, a second device comprising a second positioning source associated with a second positioning modality that is of a different type than the first positioning modality, the second positioning source being configured to view a second field, a third device comprising one or more first markers detectable within the first field using the first positioning modality, and a fourth device comprising one or more second markers detectable within the second field using the second positioning modality. A linking structure physically links two of the group of positioning devices to one another in a fixed, rigid relative position and orientation.

A system and method for inductive heating applications includes positioning one or more inductive heating elements in a location, delivering electromagnetic radiation, by a radiation source, to heat at least a portion of the one or more inductive heating elements, and detecting, by a detector, the heat generated by the one or more inductive heating elements. The system and method also include controlling, by a processing unit, a condition based on the detected heat.

A method for localizing a nodule of a patient includes inserting a delivery tool into tissue of a patient, such as lung tissue, releasing the magnetic fiducial into or adjacent a nodule from the delivery tool, and locating the magnetic fiducial with a localization tool.

A system and method for providing enhanced information to a surgeon is described. A three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient's anatomical structure selected for surgery and a representation of a surgical treatment apparatus are rendered on a display device. At least one attachment metric for a proposed attachment between the surgical treatment apparatus and the patient's anatomical structure is calculated using the three-dimensional position of the surgical treatment apparatus relative to the patient's anatomical structure. And, an indication of the attachment metric is rendered on the display device.