Abstract: The invention is directed to a system (100) for image processing, which is capable of improving an usability of an imaging device during an intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image contrast enhancement. In order to provide improved and stable contrast enhancement for each acquired image, a device (10) for image contrast enhancement of an X-ray image of a vascular structure is provided. The device (10) comprises an input unit (12) and a processing unit (14). The input unit is configured to provide an acquired X-ray image of a vascular structure with a contrast injection. The contrast injection is performed with a current contrast injection setting having at least one contrast injection parameter. The input unit is further configured to provide a generic vascular structure. The input unit is also configured to provide the current contrast injection setting. The processing unit is configured to determine an assessed contrast parameter for the generic vascular structure based on the current contrast injection setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image contrast enhancement. In order to provide improved and stable contrast enhancement for each acquired image, a device (10) for image contrast enhancement of an X-ray image of a vascular structure is provided. The device (10) comprises an input unit (12) and a processing unit (14). The input unit is configured to provide an acquired X-ray image of a vascular structure with a contrast injection. The contrast injection is performed with a current contrast injection setting having at least one contrast injection parameter. The input unit is further configured to provide a generic vascular structure. The input unit is also configured to provide the current contrast injection setting. The processing unit is configured to determine an assessed contrast parameter for the generic vascular structure based on the current contrast injection setting.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an enhanced image of a vascular treatment provides (12) a plurality of images including a representation of a region of interest of a vascular structure. Each of the plurality of images includes image data of at least one localizing feature associated with at least one tool configured to be used in the vascular treatment. Each of the plurality of images also includes image data associated with the at least one tool. Registration information for each of the images of the plurality of images is determined (14). At least two images from the plurality of images are selected (16) as a function of the registration information for each of the images. An enhanced image that provides for enhanced visibility of the at least one tool is determined (20). Data representative of the enhanced image is output (24).

Abstract: An imaging system and a related method include a marker detection system (MDS) to detect one or more markers (MK) spatially arranged in association with an area (A). If the marker detection system (MDS) detects that the area (A) is within a field-of-view (FoV) of the imaging system or is at least within a predefined distance thereof, a control signal is issued in respect of the area (A) to an image acquisition system (ACS) of the imaging system. The area (A) may be one of a hand of a human operator or a part of a patient to be imaged.

Abstract: A medical imaging system having an X-ray image acquisition device, a plurality of proximity sensors located at components of the X-ray image acquisition device and a processing unit is able to prevent unintended X-ray radiation to an object in a field of irradiation. For this purpose, the processing unit is configured for determining temporal differences of distance information delivered by the proximity sensors, for generating reference distance information based on acquired distance information with an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and the patient support in fixed positions, for filtering out reference distance information from the acquired distance information and for generating a signal in case temporal differences are determined exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection system (10) and a method for protecting a staff member (6) against X-ray scatter radiation, an X-ray system and a computer readable medium having stored a computer program element for controlling such system. The protection system (10) comprises a location unit (20), and a determination unit (30). The location unit (20) is configured to detect the position of a shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6) to be protected. The determination unit (30) is configured to determine an origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation and to determine if the shielding device (3) is positioned to protect the staff member (6) to be protected based on the origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation, the position of the shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for determining an enhanced image of a vascular treatment. It is described to provide (12), a plurality of images comprising a representation of a region of interest of a vascular structure, wherein each of the plurality of images comprises image data of at least one localizing feature associated with at least one tool configured to be used in the vascular treatment and each of the plurality of images comprises image data associated with the at least one tool. Registration information for each of the images of the plurality of images is determined (14). At least two images from the plurality of images are selected (16) as a function of the registration information for each of the images. An enhanced image from the at least two images is determined (20), wherein the enhanced image provides for enhanced visibility of the at least one tool. Data representative of the enhanced image is output (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection system (10) and a method for protecting a staff member (6) against X-ray scatter radiation, an X-ray system and a computer readable medium having stored a computer program element for controlling such system. The protection system (10) comprises a location unit (20), and a determination unit (30). The location unit (20) is configured to detect the position of a shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6) to be protected. The determination unit (30) is configured to determine an origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation and to determine if the shielding device (3) is positioned to protect the staff member (6) to be protected based on the origin (5) of potential X-ray scatter radiation, the position of the shielding device (3) and the position of the staff member (6).

Abstract: A controller and a related method of controlling a collimator. The controller operates to select a collimator setting for collimator of an x-ray imager for acquiring an image of a ROI in a patient. The controller operates to select the collimator setting to optimize the patient dosage in respect of primary radiation and secondary radiation dosage of medical staff. A position detector supplies to the controller a current position of a person relative to a patient. Based on said supplied position, the controller's configured to perform an optimization procedure that takes into account the staff dosage in respect of the secondary radiation dosage to reduce the secondary radiation dosage.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) and related method, where a marker detection system (MDS) detects one or more markers (MK) spatially arranged in association with an area (A). If the marker detection system (MDS) detects that the area (A) is within a field-of-view (FoV) of the imaging system (10) or is at least within a predefined distance thereof, a control signal is issued in respect of said area (A) to an image acquisition system (ACS) of the imaging system (10). The area (A) may be one of a hand (32) of a human operator or a part of a patient (12) to be imaged.

Abstract: A medical imaging device and a method for providing an image representation supporting positioning of an intervention device such as a wire tip (4) in a region of interest during an intervention is proposed. Therein, the following process steps are to be performed: (S1) acquiring a pre-live anatomy image (1) including a region of interest; (S2) acquiring a live anatomy image using a live image acquisition device comprising an adjustable collimator device; (S3) identifying a location (5) of the intervention device (4) within the live anatomy image; (S4) adjusting settings of the collimator device based on the identified location of the intervention device for subsequently acquiring a further live anatomy image representing the region of interest using the live image acquisition device with the collimator device being in the adjusted settings; and providing (S5) the image representation by merging information from the live anatomy image into the pre-live anatomy image.

Abstract: A medical imaging system having an X-ray image acquisition device, a plurality of proximity sensors located at components of the X-ray image acquisition device and a processing unit is able to prevent unintended X-ray radiation to an object in a field of irradiation. For this purpose, the processing unit is configured for determining temporal differences of distance information delivered by the proximity sensors, for generating reference distance information based on acquired distance information with an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and the patient support in fixed positions, for filtering out reference distance information from the acquired distance information and for generating a signal in case temporal differences are determined exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus aids operation of an interventional x-ray imager during image acquisition, where the X-ray imager is configured to vary X-ray dosages depending on differences in X-ray attenuation levels across an object of interest to be imaged. The X-ray imager is further configured to assume any one of a plurality of imaging geometry positions when acquiring an image. An indication, visual, acoustic or haptic, to the operator of the X-ray imager is provided on the incurred change in X-ray dosage when changing from a current projection view to an updated projection view, while a given constant image quality is maintained throughout the different views.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. It is desirable to perform an X-ray image acquisition with a minimal required dosage for obtaining a desired image quality. Accordingly, a method for simulating reduction of acquisition dosage of an X-ray image, a computer system, an X-ray system, a computer-readable medium and a program element is provided. The method (30) for simulating reduction of acquisition dosage of an X-ray system comprises providing (32) first X-ray image information comprising first noise, the first X-ray image information having been acquired with a first dosage setting; providing (34) a second dosage setting; determining (36) a noise difference for obtaining simulated second X-ray image information acquired with the second dosage setting and applying (38) the noise difference to the first X-ray image information for obtaining the simulated second X-ray image information comprising second noise.

Abstract: A controller (CC) and a related method of controlling a collimator (COL). Controller (CC) operates to select a collimator setting for collimator (COL) of an x-ray imager (100) for acquiring an image of a ROI in a patient (PAT). The controller (CC) operates to select the collimator setting to optimize the patient dosage in respect of primary radiation (PR) and secondary radiation (SR) dosage of medical staff (MS). A position detector (PD) supplies to controller (CC) a current position of a person (MS) relative to patient (PAT). Based on said supplied position, the controller (SS)'s optimization procedure takes into account the staff (MS) dosage in respect of secondary radiation (SR) to reduce same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for aiding operation of an interventional x-ray imager during image acquisition, to a method of aiding operation of an x-ray imager, to an interventional x-ray imager, to a computer program element and to a computer readable medium. The X-ray imager is capable of varying X-ray dosages depending on differences in X-ray attenuation levels across an object of interest to be imaged and is capable of assuming any one of a plurality of imaging geometry positions when acquiring an image. An indication, visual, acoustic or haptic, to the operator of an X-ray imager is provided on the incurred change in X-ray dosage when changing from a current projection view to an updated projection view, provided that a given constant image quality is to be maintained throughout the different views.

Abstract: A medical imaging device and a method for providing an image representation supporting positioning of an intervention device such as a wire tip (4) in a region of interest during an intervention is proposed. Therein, the following process steps are to be performed: (S1) acquiring a pre-live anatomy image (1) including a region of interest; (S2) acquiring a live anatomy image using a live image acquisition device comprising an adjustable collimator device; (S3) identifying a location (5) of the intervention device (4) within the live anatomy image; (S4) adjusting settings of the collimator device based on the identified location of the intervention device for subsequently acquiring a further live anatomy image representing the region of interest using the live image acquisition device with the collimator device being in the adjusted settings; and providing (S5) the image representation by merging information from the live anatomy image into the pre-live anatomy image.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention a dose awareness indication device is provided in which an individual dose is determined on the basis of raw dose measuring data, dose sensor and information data from an examination apparatus, wherein the information data from the examination apparatus relates to the type of examination. Thus, an individualized determination of dose data may be provided, depending on the actual examination process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general. It is desirable to perform an X-ray image acquisition with a minimal required dosage for obtaining a desired image quality. Accordingly, a method for simulating reduction of acquisition dosage of an X-ray image, a computer system, an X-ray system, a computer-readable medium and a program element is provided. The method (30) for simulating reduction of acquisition dosage of an X-ray system comprises providing (32) first X-ray image information comprising first noise, the first X-ray image information having been acquired with a first dosage setting; providing (34) a second dosage setting; determining (36) a noise difference for obtaining simulated second X-ray image information acquired with the second dosage setting and applying (38) the noise difference to the first X-ray image information for obtaining the simulated second X-ray image information comprising second noise.