The present invention relates to a tracking reference structure for localizing and tracking an object by means of a medical tracking system, said structure comprising: —a first part (1) which forms a support structure for at least one tracking marker (3); and—a second part (2) which is configured to be fixed to said object, wherein a positionally fixed connection between the first part (1) and the second part (2) is established by means of an interface comprising at least one resiliently articulated element (4) on the first part (1) and/or second part (2), which engage(s) with the respective other part (2, 1), and wherein the resiliently articulated element (4) is configured such that its restoring spring force alone is already sufficient to positionally fix the connection. The present invention also relates to a tracking reference system comprising such a tracking reference structure which in turn comprises at least one first part (1), wherein any additional first part(s) (1) support(s) a different type of tracking marker (3) and said different first parts (1) can be interchangeably connected to the second part (2), and wherein the tracking markers (3) of each of said different first parts (1) are in particular placed in the same spatial position when being coupled to the second part (2).

A splint device (100) for robotically-guided surgery includes elongate first and second splint portions (200, 400) each having opposed longitudinal ends and an interface edge extending between the ends, wherein the respective interface edges (250, 450) are arranged as a complement to each other. First and second alignment elements (800A, 800B) engaged with the first and second splint portions are arranged to interact with each other such that a substantially consistent gap is defined between the first and second interface edges, from the first ends to the second ends of the first and second splint portions. A threaded member (900) is engaged between the first and second splint portions and arranged to advance the first and second interface edges toward each other in response to advancement of the threaded member. A tracking portion (1000) having a kinematic mount (1100) engaged therewith is engaged with the first or second splint portion and extends outwardly therefrom. An associated method is also provided.

A system, including various apparatus and methods, for surgical navigation is provided. The system is configured to track the spine of a patient by capturing images via one or more cameras. The cameras are configured to capture images of one or more arrays. The system transmits the images to a computer system. The one or more arrays are releasably secured with the spine of the patient, such as by a spine pin or a spine clamp. The system can determine the spatial position and orientation of relevant anatomical features, implants, and instruments using and processing the captured images.

A wire stabilization device and method for stabilizing a localization wire during a tissue diagnostic procedure are disclosed. The wire stabilization device includes a device body and a device base. The device body is joined to the device base. The device body includes a base portion, a cover portion, a cover hinge, and a gripping feature. The cover hinge connects the base portion to the cover portion and allows the cover portion to rotate between open and closed positions. The gripping feature holds the localization wire between the base portion and the cover portion. The device base attaches to a patient's skin to stabilize the device body while the localization wire is held between the base portion and the cover portion.

A biopsy marker that can emit near infrared fluorescence for location of a biopsy site. The biopsy marker has a body formed from a polymer and a quantity of a near infrared fluorescent dye, such as indocyanine green, embedded in the polymer. A near infrared energy source is used to excite the near infrared fluorescent dye. A near infrared energy detector is used to detect any near infrared emissions from the biopsy marker. As a result, any and all biopsy markers within the field of view may be readily identified and located so that the tissue locations can be surgical removed if the tissue samples indicate a risk of cancerous tissue.

An ultrasound-detectable marker, ultrasound system, and methods for monitoring vascular flow and patency is disclosed. The ultrasound-detectable marker comprises one or more resorbable polymers, one or more non-resorbable polymers, one or more non-polymeric materials, or any combinations thereof. The ultrasound-detectable marker is adapted for placement underneath, adjacent to, or above one or more vessels at a postoperative site, such as a vascular anastomosis site. Further, the ultrasound imaging system includes certain user guiding software and/or health analysis software for use with the ultrasound-detectable marker.

An implantable magnetic marker comprising at least one piece of a large Barkhausen jump material (LBJ) containing at least one loop. The coiled marker is deployed to mark a tissue site in the body for subsequent surgery, and a magnetic detection system with a handheld probe excites the marker above or below the switching field required for bistable switching of the marker causing a harmonic response to be generated in a bistable or sub-bistable mode that allows the marker to be detected and localised.

Apparatuses, components, devices, methods, and systems for determining jaw movement are provided. An example patient assembly for capturing motion data of a patient includes a clutch configured to be worn by the patient on a dentition of the patient. The clutch includes a dentition coupling device configured to couple to the dentition of the patient and includes an extension member configured to protrude out from the patient's mouth. The clutch also includes a position indicating system rigidly connected to the dentition coupling device. An example position indicating system emits a plurality of light beams. Some examples also include an imaging system and a motion determining device. An example imaging system captures a plurality of image sets that each include at least one of a plurality of screens upon which the light beams project. An example motion determining device processes the captured image sets to determine the motion of the patient's dentition.

An optical marker apparatus or device for tracking and compensating for patient motion during a medical imaging scan can comprise one or more optical markers, one or mounts, and a substrate. The one or more optical markers can be adapted to be detected by one or more detectors and/or cameras of a medical imaging scanner and/or motion tracking system. One or more mounts can be configured to attach the one or more markers to the substrate. The substrate, in turn, can be configured to be attached to one or more regions of a subject patient's body. For example, in some embodiments, a substrate can be adapted to be placed or otherwise attached over a nose bridge of a patient.

A fluoro-navigation system for navigating a tool relative to a medical image. The system includes a motorized X-ray imaging system for acquiring a plurality of images of a region of interest of a patient, the position of each image being known. Also included is a localization system, a registration phantom with a plurality of radiopaque fiducials, a tracker for being tracked by the localization system, a processor for receiving the plurality of images and for reconstructing a 3D medical image from the images using radiopaque fiducials visible in the plurality of images. Also included is base made of a substantially radiotransparent material, to be rigidly secured to a patient's bone and having a reproducible fixation system for attaching the registration phantom and/or tracker.