A method for marking an entry position for an injection apparatus on a surface of a patient positioned inside a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance device. The method includes providing a virtual entry position, introducing a marking apparatus into the patient receiving region, acquiring time-resolved MR image data from the marking apparatus by the magnetic resonance device, ascertaining a current position of the marking apparatus based on the time-resolved MR image data, iteratively changing the current position of the marking apparatus using the virtual entry position and the current position, and delivering the liquid from the marking apparatus when the current position matches the virtual entry position.

An augmented reality-assisted method for performing surgery comprises: disposing a position sensing element at a facial positioning point of a patient before craniotomy to obtain skull space and intracranial space information for defining a coordinate space; obtaining a brain anatomical image for constructing a three-dimensional graphic, the graphic comprising a graphic positioning point and a feature associated with a gyrus feature; defining a relative positional relationship between the graphic and the space, aligning the facial positioning point with the graphic positioning point; using a probe to obtain a spatial position of the gyrus feature after craniotomy, using the gyrus feature as a calibration reference point; generating a displacement and rotation parameter based on a coordinate difference of the feature relative to the reference point; adjusting a position and/or an angle of the graphic on a display according to the parameter, and the display displaying the calibrated three-dimensional graphic.

In a method and system for providing visual information about a tumour location in human or animal body, an electromagnetic tumour sensor is provided in the tumour and tracked to determine its location in space, which is mapped to a tumour model. A surgical tool sensor is provided on a surgical tool, and tracked to determine its location in space, which is mapped to a surgical tool model. The body is scanned to obtain information about an anatomical structure. A reference sensor is provided on the body, and tracked to determine its location in space, which is mapped to the anatomical structure. A virtual image is displayed showing the tumour model, located with the at least one tumour sensor, in spatial relationship to the surgical tool model, located with the at least one surgical tool sensor, and the anatomical structure, located with the at least one reference sensor.

There is provided a computerized method of tracking a position of an intra-body catheter, comprising: physically tracking coordinates of the position of a distal portion of a physical catheter within the physical body portion of the patient according to physically applied plurality of electrical fields within the body portion and measurements of the plurality of electrical fields performed by a plurality of physical electrodes at a distal portion of the physical catheter; registering the physically tracked coordinates with simulated coordinates generated according to a simulation of a simulated catheter within a simulation of the body of the patient, to identify differences between physically tracked location coordinates and the simulation coordinates; correcting the physically tracked location coordinates according to the registered simulation coordinates; and providing the corrected physically tracked location coordinates for presentation.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods to detect a moving anatomic feature during a treatment sequence based on a computed and/or a measured shortest distance between the anatomic feature and at least a portion of an imaging system.

There is provided a computer implemented method of providing a surgical controller with instructions to restrict a manipulation of an endoscopic tool during an endoscopic medical procedure in an intrabody cavity, comprising: inputting into classifier(s), indication(s) of instructions for manipulation of the endoscopic tool outputted by sensor(s), classifying by the classifier(s), the indication of instructions into an envelope defining a volume that restricts therein manipulation of the endoscopic tool, wherein the classifier(s) classifies the envelope based on previously obtained indications of instructions for manipulation of endoscopic tools during other endoscopic medical procedures performed in intrabody cavities of other patients, analyzing the indication of instructions for manipulation of the endoscopic tool according to the envelope to determine when the instructions are for manipulation of the endoscopic tool externally to the envelope, and providing the surgical controller with an indication of inappropriate manipulation according to the analysis.

Limited physical access to target organs of patients inside an MRI scanner is a major obstruction to real-time MRI-guided interventions. Traditional teleoperation technologies are incompatible with the MRI environment and although several solutions have been explored, a versatile system that provides high-fidelity haptic feedback and access deep inside the bore remains a challenge. A passive and nearly frictionless MRI-compatible hydraulic teleoperator is provided designed for in-bore biopsies. A needle driver translates a needle in insertion and retraction directions via a clutch mechanism. A needle holder grips the needle via a retraction lock when the clutch mechanism of the needle driver releases the needle to hold a position of the needle during reposition of the needle driver.

A medical device includes an elongate device and one or more processors coupled to the elongate device. The elongate device includes a steerable distal end and a shape sensor located along a length of the elongate device. While the elongate device is being traversed through one or more passageways of a patient, the one or more processors are configured to, based on information from a sensor, monitor an insertion motion of the elongate device, detect a data collection event, and capture, in response to detecting the data collection event, a plurality of points along the length of the elongate device using the shape sensor. The data collection event is at least partially based on a change in direction of the insertion motion of the elongate device.

A method and system for propelling and controlling displacement of a microrobot in a space having a wall, includes the steps of: forming the microrobot with a body containing a magnetic field-of-force responsive material, wherein, in response to a magnetic field of force, a force is applied to the material in a direction of the magnetic field of force; positioning the microrobot in the space for displacement in that space; and generating the magnetic field of force with a predetermined gradient and applying the magnetic field of force to the microrobot propelling the microrobot through the space in a direction of a field of force. Then, a sequence of field generating steps are executed, wherein each step includes calculating the direction, amplitude and spatial variation of the net field of force to control displacement of the microrobot in the space and against the wall from one equilibrium point to another.

The present invention relates to robotic device positioning. By extending the robotic arm into the surgical field, a system is provided that automatically aligns an instrument following a plan, e.g., surgical plan, using only instrument tracking feedback. No tracking markers on the robot are required.