Kitware has extensive experience working in the field of surgical guidance. We are the primary developers of the Image-Guided Surgery Toolkit, and are expanding our expertise to other specific domains. Our medical team is currently working on a PET-CT guided liver lesion biopsy technique that will improve the accuracy of liver lesion biopsies. The novel motion-compensated approach for PET/CT uses a phase-matched attenuation correction and deformable registration algorithm that accommodates for organ sliding. By accounting for organ movement, the biopsy can be done more accurately and with more precision, as opposed to using non-compensated images. This is a critical step towards accuracy, as most existing research systems use rigid registration.

Additionally, by using electromagnetic tracking for precise needle positioning, we are removing the need for multiple CT scans and reducing the radiation dose patients are exposed to. The ultimate goal is to provide a better procedure with improved outcomes for patients. By impletmenting this application through the open-source IGSTK, we are encouraging investigation and collaboration within the medical community.

For more information on the Image-Guided Surgery Toolkit, please visit the website at www.igstk.org.