Disclosed is a method for use in surgical navigation, the method being performed by a computing system. A first pose of a first tracker is determined in exactly four degrees of freedom, DOF, and a second pose of a second tracker is determined in exactly four DOF. Based on the first pose and the second pose, a third pose of a virtual tracker may be determined in six DOF. The virtual tracker has a fixed spatial relationship relative to the anatomical object in the six DOF of the third pose. A transformation between the third pose and a fourth pose of the anatomical object in six DOF in an image coordinate system of image data of the anatomical object may be determined or obtained. The present disclosure further relates to a computing system, a surgical navigation system and a computer program product.

A steerable endoscope is provided with active steering control. An endoscope includes a flexible tubular body with first and second articulating segments, and a camera. In an embodiment, the endoscope includes an orientation sensor. A controller for the endoscope performs an automated analysis of an alignment between the motion axis of the endoscope and the viewing axis of the camera, and actively steers the endoscope to improve the alignment.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a region of interest are provided. A plurality of skeletal landmarks may be identified from an image received from an imaging device. A pose of a patient may be determined based on the plurality of skeletal landmarks. A region of interest may be identified on the patient based on the determined pose. Instructions may be automatically provided to the controller to adjust a pose of a surgical instrument relative to the region of interest. The plurality of skeletal landmarks may be tracked for movement. The region of interest may be updated when movement of the plurality of skeletal landmarks is detected.

Modular orthopedic implants, associated instruments, and navigation methods. The modular orthopedic fixation assembly may include a modular bone fastener and a modular tulip head configured to be installed separately. The modular bone fastener may be installed and tracked with a screw extender instrument having an outer sleeve and an inner shaft coupled to the bone fastener. The screw extender instrument may continue to track the location and orientation of the bone throughout the surgical procedure for navigational integrity. The modular tulip head may be assembled to the bone fastener with a head inserter instrument, which ensures the modular head is properly seated on the installed bone fastener.

Surgical robot systems, anatomical structure tracker apparatuses, and US transducer apparatuses are disclosed. A surgical robot system includes a robot, a US transducer, and at least one processor. The robot includes a robot base, a robot arm coupled to the robot base, and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector is configured to guide movement of a surgical instrument. The US transducer is coupled to the end-effector and operative to output US imaging data of anatomical structure proximately located to the end-effector. The least one processor is operative to obtain an image volume for the patient and to track pose of the end-effector relative to anatomical structure captured in the image volume based on the US imaging data.

A method is described for performing a percutaneous operation on a patient to remove an object from a cavity within the patient. The method includes advancing a first alignment sensor into the cavity through a patient lumen. The first alignment sensor provides its position and orientation in free space in real time. The alignment sensor is manipulated until it is located in proximity to the object. A percutaneous opening is made in the patient with a surgical tool, where the surgical tool includes a second alignment sensor that provides the position and orientation of the surgical tool in free space in real time. The surgical tool is directed towards the object using data provided by both the first and the second alignment sensors.

Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to facilitating control of a graphical user interface associated with performing a medical procedure. Inputs can be received from a plurality of input devices interacting with respective sets of input options displayed on respective portions of the graphical user interface. One of the input devices can be operable by a physician, during a medical procedure, to navigate a set of input options to modify a graphical representation of at least one of a medical device and an anatomic structure displayed on the graphical user interface.

A method performed by a computing system comprises receiving a fluoroscopic image of a patient anatomy while a portion of a medical instrument is positioned within the patient anatomy. The fluoroscopic image has a fluoroscopic frame of reference. The portion has a sensed position in an anatomic model frame of reference. The method further comprises identifying the portion in the fluoroscopic image and identifying an extracted position of the portion in the fluoroscopic frame of reference using the identified portion in the fluoroscopic image. The method further comprises registering the fluoroscopic frame of reference to the anatomic model frame of reference based on the sensed position of the portion and the extracted position of the portion.

An image-guided robotic intervention system (“IGRIS”) may be used to perform medical procedures on patients. IGRIS provides a real-time view of patient anatomy, as well as an intended target or targets for the procedures, software that allows a user to plan an approach or trajectory path using either the image or the robotic device, software that allows a user to convert a series of 2D images into a 3D volume, and localizes the 3D volume with respect to real-time images during the procedure. IGRIS may include sensors to estimate pose of the imaging device relative to the patient to improve the performance of that software with respect to runtime, robustness, and accuracy.

Certain embodiments may relate to apparatuses and methods for performing surgical procedures. For example, a method may comprise initiating detection and tracking of at least one surgical instrument (including associated surgical material) within a surgical area. The method may further comprise performing a surgical procedure with the at least one surgical instrument and material and ending detection and tracking of the at least one surgical instrument and material within the surgical area. The method may further comprise displaying at least one indication of location status of the at least one surgical instrument.