In general, devices, systems, and methods for fiducial identification and tracking are provided.

A needle assembly for use with an autonomous ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a needle transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle and is electrically coupled to a power source. The needle transducer is configured to receive data signals from the autonomous ultrasound imaging system which contain information relating to a plurality of ultrasound waves generated by an ultrasound probe of the autonomous ultrasound imaging system. The needle assembly further includes at least one processor configured to perform one or more operations, including but not limited to, generating a location signal for at least one portion of the needle based on the data signals from the autonomous ultrasound imaging system and modifying at least one characteristic of the location signal so as to improve visibility of the location signal on the display screen, wherein the modified location signal is displayed on a display screen during use of the needle assembly so as to locate the at least one portion of the needle.

A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

An ultrasonic echogenic device (100) includes a base layer (1), an echogenic layer (2) covering the base layer (1) and adhered to the base layer (1) at least by a separate lower adhesive (4), an outer layer (3) covering the echogenic layer (2) and adhered to the echogenic layer (2) at least by a separate upper adhesive (5), wherein the ultrasonic echogenic device (100) is configured such that a rough interface is provided at a position where the echogenic material of the echogenic layer (2) contacts at least the upper surface of the upper adhesive (5) and the lower adhesive (4), and the outer surface of the outer layer (3) at least partially follows an undulation of the rough interface. An ultrasonic echogenic device (100) with a simple structure and easily formed is obtained.

Devices, systems, and methods are described including an invasive medical device with a magnetic region. The magnetic region can include a discontinuity in the magnetic region providing a diameter transition, a plurality of spaced magnetic regions can be provided or the magnetic regions can be encoded with data. Systems and methods are described that include ways to read the data.

Electrosurgical systems generally include at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography.

A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

An apparatus for patient position or motion monitoring includes: an energy source configured to emit energy from a first location to a second location, or vice versa, wherein the second location that is moveable relative to the first location in response to a movement by a patient; and a processing unit coupled to receive an input that is based on the emitted energy, and to determine a characteristic associated with the patient based on the input.

A tracker system for use in image guided surgery is disclosed. The tracker system may couple to wet tissue and may include a navigation tracker and a base pad that couple to each other. The base pad may be fabricated from a plurality of nonwoven nanofibers. The base pad is configured to couple to body tissue of a patient via at least one of adsorption, hydration equilibrium, and macromolecular interpenetration.

Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses. Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.