Abstract: A method for identifying a material boundary within volumetric image data is based on use of a model boundary transition function, which models the expected progression of voxel values across the material boundary, as a function of distance. Each voxel is taken in turn, and voxel values within a subregion surrounding the voxel are fitted to the model function, and the corresponding fitting parameters are derived, in addition to a parameter relating to quality of the model fit. Based on these parameters for each voxel, for each of at least a subset of the voxels, a candidate spatial point is identified, estimated to lie on the material boundary within the 3-D image dataset. The result is a cloud of candidate spatial points which spatially correspond to the outline of the boundary wall. Based on these, a representation of the boundary wall can be generated, for example a surface mesh.

Abstract: Augmented reality (AR) servicing guidance uses a mobile device (30, 90) with a display and a camera. Computer vision (CV) processing (102) such as Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) is performed to align AR content (80) with a live video feed (96) captured by the camera. The aligned AR content is displayed on the display of the mobile device. In one example, the mobile device is a head-up display (HUD) (90) with a transparent display (92, 94) and camera (20). In another example the mobile device is a cellphone or tablet computer (30) with a front display (34) and a rear-facing camera (36). The AR content (80) is generated by CV processing (54) to align (70) AR content with recorded video (40) of a service call. The aligning (72) includes aligning locations of interest (LOIs) identified in the recorded video of the service call by a user input.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed comprising an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells (130), each of said cell having an independently adjustable position and/or orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface of the cell to a region of a body and a controller (140). The controller is configured to register the respective ultrasound transducer cells by simultaneously operating at least two ultrasound transducer cells in a transmit mode in which the cells transmit distinguishable ultrasound signals and operating the remaining ultrasound transducer cells in a receive mode.

Abstract: A System for image processing (IPS), in particular for lung imaging. The system (IPS) comprises an interface (IN) for receiving at least a part of a 3D image volume (VL) acquired by PAT an imaging apparatus (IA1) of a lung (LG) of a subject (PAT) by exposing the subject (PAT) to a first interrogating signal. A layer definer (LD) of the system (IPS) is configured to define, in the 3D image volume, a layer object (LO) that includes a representation of a surface (S) of the lung (LG). A renderer (REN) of the system (IPS) is configured to render at least a part of the layer object (LO) in 3D at a rendering view (Vp) for visualization on a display device (DD).

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus (110) for generating an augmented image comprising a) a base image providing unit (111), wherein the base image is generated based on a combination of spectral image data, b) a contrast image providing unit (112), wherein the contrast image is generated based on a different combination of the spectral image data, c) a degree of saliency determination unit (113), wherein the degree of saliency is indicative of a difference between an image value of a voxel of the contrast image and an image value of a corresponding voxel of a predetermined template image, and d) an augmented image generation unit (114) for generating an augmented base image of the object by augmenting voxels of the base image based on the degree of saliency. The invention allows to provide the augmented base image with an improved image quality and information content.

Abstract: Iterative material decomposition of multispectral image data includes providing a plurality of spectral images of a region of interest comprising a body part and a plurality of sets of material coefficients for a plurality of materials. Each spectral image is decomposed into a plurality of material images and an offset image. At least one of the material images for each spectral image is manipulated on the basis of at least one topological constraint relating to the body part to determine for each spectral image an updated plurality of material images and an updated offset image. A plurality of spectral images is then recomposed from the corresponding updated plurality of material images and the updated offset. Intensities at image locations are compared, and the updated plurality of material images is modified. The steps are repeated until convergence, and at least one of the recomposed spectral images at convergence is output.

Abstract: Method and related system for marker-based navigation. A first image is capturing (S530) with a medical imaging apparatus (ENDO), whilst a light source (LS1) of an implanted marker device (MD) is in a low intensity state and a second light source (LS2) of the medical imaging apparatus (IA) is in a high intensity state, higher than the low intensity state of the marker. A second image is captured (S560) with the medical imaging apparatus (ENDO), whilst the light source (LS1) of the implanted marker device is in a high intensity state and the second light source (LS2) of the medical imaging apparatus (IA) is in a low intensity state, lower than the high intensity state of the marker. The two images may then be combined to obtain a combined image that represents the location of the marker at high signal-to-noise-ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for presentation of dark field information. It is described to provide (210) an X-ray attenuation image of a region of interest of an object. A dark field X-ray image of the region of interest of the object is also provided (220). A plurality of sub-regions of the region of interest are defined (230) based on the X-ray attenuation image of the region of interest or based on the dark field X-ray image of the region of interest. At least one quantitative value is derived (240) for each of the plurality of sub-regions, wherein the at least one quantitative value for a sub-region comprises data derived from the X-ray attenuation image of the sub-region and data derived from the dark field X-ray image of the sub-region. A plurality of figures of merit are assigned (250) to the plurality of sub-regions, wherein a figure of merit for a sub-region is based on the at least one quantitative value for the sub-region.

Abstract: A three-dimensional virtual endoscopy rendering of a lumen of a tubular structure is based on both non-spectral and spectral volumetric imaging data. The three-dimensional virtual endoscopy rendering includes a 2-D image of a lumen of the tubular structure from a viewpoint of a virtual camera of a virtual endoscope passing through the lumen. In one instance, the three-dimensional virtual endoscopy rendering is similar to the view which is provided by a physical endoscopic video camera inserted into the actual tubular structure and positioned at that location. The non-spectral volumetric image data is used to determine an opacity and shading of the three-dimensional virtual endoscopy rendering. The spectral volumetric image data is used to visually encode the three-dimensional virtual endoscopy rendering to visually distinguish an inner wall of the tubular structure and structure of interest on the wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a calculation device (10) for comparing dark-field X-ray images. The calculation device in (10) is configured for receiving a first dark-field X-ray image (11) describing first dark-field X-ray signals of a patient at an expiration state and for receiving a second dark-field X-ray image (12) describing second dark-field X-ray signals of the patient at an inspiration state. The calculation device is further (10) configured for normalizing the first dark-field X-ray signals of the first dark-field X-ray tin image (11) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the expiration state and for normalizing the second dark-field X-ray signals of the second dark-field X-ray image (12) with a lung thickness value describing the lung thickness at the inspiration state.

Abstract: A System for image processing (IPS), in particular for lung imaging The system (IPS) comprises an interface (IN) for receiving at least a part of a 3D image volume (VL) acquired by an imaging apparatus (IA1) of a lung (LG) of a subject (PAT) by exposing the subject (PAT) to a first interrogating signal. A layer definer (LD) of the system (IPS) is configured to define, in the 3D image volume, a layer object (LO) that includes a representation of a surface (S) of the lung (LG). A renderer (REN) of the system (IPS) is configured to render at least a part of the layer object (LO) in 3D at a rendering view (Vp) for visualization on a display device (DD).

Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed comprising an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells (130), each of said cell having an independently adjustable position and/or orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface of the cell to a region of a body and a controller (140). The controller is configured to register the respective ultrasound transducer cells by simultaneously operating at least two ultrasound transducer cells in a transmit mode in which the cells transmit distinguishable ultrasound signals and operating the remaining ultrasound transducer cells in a receive mode.

Abstract: A forced oscillation technique and dark field imaging technique is disclosed, wherein respiratory mechanics data and dark field image data are synergistically combined to obtain pulmonary function data with increased spatial resolution and increased diagnostic information, particularly increased localization and severity data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of calculating a surgical intervention plan. Based on surface data of the patient, a surface representation of a part of the patient's body is created. From a database, a plurality of surgical methods may be selected and the geometrical parameters of a surgical plan can be adapted based on each individual surgical method. Therefore, the surgeon may easily select, which of the surgical method is appropriate for the planned surgical intervention. Furthermore, the surgical intervention plan which has been adapted according to the finally selected surgical method may then be projected onto the skin of the patient such that a drawing of the incision lines is facilitated. Furthermore, the use of a remotely activatable pen based on the current position of the pen and based on the finally selected surgical plan is presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (200) for iterative material decomposition of multispectral image data.

Abstract: An imaging system combines a probe for obtaining image data in respect of a structure of interest below a surface of a subject, a first camera for obtaining images of the surface of the subject and a second camera for capturing images of the environment. A surface model of the subjects surface is obtained, and the position and/or orientation of the probe is tracked on the surface. Image data acquired at different positions and orientations is stitched based on the tracked position of the probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for presentation of dark field information. It is described to provide (210) an X-ray attenuation image of a region of interest of an object. A dark field X-ray image of the region of interest of the object is also provided (220). A plurality of sub-regions of the region of interest are defined (230) based on the X-ray attenuation image of the region of interest or based on the dark field X-ray image of the region of interest. At least one quantitative value is derived (240) for each of the plurality of sub-regions, wherein the at least one quantitative value for a sub-region comprises data derived from the X-ray attenuation image of the sub-region and data derived from the dark field X-ray image of the sub-region. A plurality of figures of merit are assigned (250) to the plurality of sub-regions, wherein a figure of merit for a sub-region is based on the at least one quantitative value for the sub-region.

Abstract: Augmented reality (AR) servicing guidance uses a mobile device (30, 90) with a display and a camera. Computer vision (CV) processing (102) such as Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) is performed to align AR content (80) with a live video feed (96) captured by the camera. The aligned AR content is displayed on the display of the mobile device. In one example, the mobile device is a head-up display (HUD) (90) with a transparent display (92, 94) and camera (20). In another example the mobile device is a cellphone or tablet computer (30) with a front display (34) and a rear-facing camera (36). The AR content (80) is generated by CV processing (54) to align (70) AR content with recorded video (40) of a service call. The aligning (72) includes aligning locations of interest (LOIs) identified in the recorded video of the service call by a user input.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an imaging system (102) and a pressure delivery system (104). The imaging system includes a data acquisition system (114 and 116) and is configured to produce data. The pressure delivery system is configured to produce a periodic airflow variation. The system further includes an operator console (120) configured to control the imaging system to scan a subject receiving the periodic airflow variation and map the periodic airflow variation and first data. The system further includes a reconstructor (516) configured to reconstruct the first data and generate first volumetric image data indicative of the periodic airflow variation.

Abstract: An image processing system, comprising an input interface (IN) for receiving a plurality of input images acquired of test objects. The system further comprises a material type analyzer (MTA) configured to produce material type readings at corresponding locations across said input images (IM(CH)). A statistical module (SM) of the system is configured to determine based on said readings an estimate for a probability distribution of material type for said corresponding locations.