Augmented reality image guidance during off-pump mitral valve replacement through the guiraudon universal cardiac introducer.

Objective: : We report our experience with ultrasound augmented reality (US-AR) guidance for mitral valve prosthesis (MVP) implantation in the pig using off-pump, closed, beating intracardiac access through the Guiraudon Universal Cardiac Introducer attached to the left atrial appendage.

Methods: : Before testing US-AR guidance, a feasibility pilot study on nine pigs was performed using US alone. US-AR guidance, tested on a heart phantom, was subsequently used in three pigs (∼65 kg) using a tracked transesophageal echocardiography probe, augmented with registration of a 3D computed tomography scan, and virtual representation of the MVP and clip-delivering tool (Clipper); three pigs were used to test feature-based registration.

Virtual reality imaging with real-time ultrasound guidance for facet joint injection: a proof of concept.

Facet interventions continue to be used in pain management. Computed tomographic (CT) images can be registered into a virtual world that includes images generated by an ultrasound (US) probe tracked in real time, permitting guidance of tracked needles. We acquired CT-generated 3-dimensional (3D) images of 2 models and a cadaver.