An implantable susceptometry marker (1001) for use in surgical guidance comprising one or more ferromagnetic elements (1004a, 1004b, 1004c); and at least one diamagnetic element (1003); wherein the one or more ferromagnetic elements are formed of at least one ferromagnetic material having an initial relative permeability of at least about 10,000 and a saturation induction Bs of less than about 1.5 T, and the at least one diamagnetic element is formed of at least one diamagnetic material having a bulk susceptibility of at least about ?0.16?10.sup.?4; and wherein the total volume of diamagnetic material in the marker is about 100-10,000 times greater than the total volume of ferromagnetic material.

An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Systems and methods are provided for processing medical images to generate information useful for planning or guiding revision surgeries, designing implants for use in revisions surgeries, or generally evaluating the bone architecture of a subject. The medical images may be x-ray images, such as those acquired with a computed tomography (CT) system, magnetic resonance images, such as those acquired with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, or ultrasound images, such as those acquired with an ultrasound imaging system. The images can also be fused together, or otherwise combined, to produce combined images that enhance the depiction of an instrument or implant in the subject relative to the uncombined images.

An intervention apparatus is described having a probe with an orifice insertion portion, the insertion portion being configured for insertion into an orifice of a patient. The apparatus also having an intervention tool securement and adjustment mechanism removably attached to the probe. The probe providing support to hold the mechanism in a position relative to the patient, and the adjustment mechanism providing adjustment of an entry point and an angle of entry for an intervention tool to the patient. In embodiments, magnetic resonance imaging, trans-orifice intervention and transperineal intervention are described. Methods for imaging and/or intervention are also described.

The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of assembling medical devices, such as MRI-compatible interventional wireguides. An example of a wireguide includes a series of individual segments, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of spacers. Each segment in the series of individual segments has a first end and a second end. Each connector of the plurality of connectors joins adjacent segments in the series of individual segments to one another such that a first end of a first segment and a second end of a second segment in the series of individual segments are attached to a connector of the plurality of connectors. A spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed between each pair of adjacent segments in the series of individual segments. Each of the segments in the series of individual segments is electrically insulated from an adjacent segment in the series of individual segments.

An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.

An imaging fiducial marker includes a plurality of marker structures and a connection structure that linearly, curvilinearly, or angly, affixes the plurality of marker structures. The imaging fiducial marker is formed from materials having at least two different radiopacities. Each different radiopacity is separately distinguishable during medical imaging, and the connection structure is distinguishable from the plurality of marker structures during medical imaging. The imaging fiducial marker is arranged for implantation in vivo within soft tissue. Deploying the imaging fiducial marker includes identifying a soft tissue area in a patient's body where the marker will be placed in vivo and deploying the marker in the identified soft tissue area.

A method and apparatus for radially compressing bodily tissue and performing medical procedures from a selected one of a plurality of circumferential positions and angles, a selected one of a plurality of different elevations and elevational angles. Some embodiments include a tissue-compression fixture having members that are configured to be moved to radially compress bodily tissue such that each of a plurality of areas of biological tissue are exposed between the plurality of members, and wherein the fixture is compatible with use in an MRI machine in operation; an actuator having a receiver for a medical-procedure probe; and a computer system operatively coupled to the actuator to move the probe. The computer receives user commands, and based on the commands, moves the actuator to a selected one of a plurality of different positions around the tissue-compression fixture and then extends the probe into the patient.

A positioning system for an imaging device, in particular a MR imaging device to position an insertion element on or in the body of a subject, in particular an animal, wherein the imaging device comprises a bore, in which the subject is received, wherein the positioning system comprises a robot which can be at least partially arranged in the bore of the imaging device and comprises a holding element to hold the insertion element; wherein the robot further comprises at least one actuator acting on the holding element, such that an end portion of the insertion element is movable, wherein said at least one actuator is arranged with a distance D from the bore to minimize magnetic and/or electromagnetic interferences between the imaging device and the at least one actuator and said first actuator is coupled to the holding element in a form-fit- and/or a force-fit-manner.

An apparatus (51) includes a needle placement manipulator (1) and an attachment (52) for the manipulator. The manipulator includes a needle holder and a rotary mechanism. The rotary mechanism (3, 4) has a remote center of motion (RCM: 11) and is configured to position a needle holder (5) such that the axis of the needle holder traces a conical region of coverage (108), the conical region of coverage having the apex thereof at the RCM and the base thereof in a direction towards a subject of needle placement (14). The attachment supports the guide mechanism and is configured to be mounted onto the subject of needle placement. The attachment includes a guide portion (183c) configured to change an inclination of the rotary mechanism with respect to the subject of needle placement such that the axis of the needle holder intersects an insertion target (14) located outside of the conical region of coverage.