Abstract: A method for accurately positioning a patient for radiotherapy and/or radiosurgery, comprising the following steps: the patient is pre-positioned as accurately as possible with respect to a linear accelerator; at least two x-ray images of the patient and/or one of the parts of his body in the vicinity of the radiation target point are produced from different respective recording angles on a single image recorder; the x-ray image is spatially localized; at least one reconstructed image, corresponding to each x-ray image and deriving from a three-dimensional patient scan data set, is produced, the reconstructed images containing the desired image contents of the x-ray images when the patient is correctly positioned; and the real x-ray images are superimposed, and the positioning error is determined electronically and/or with computer guidance by way of particular landmarks and/or the intensity gradient or the contours in the two images; and the position of the patient is corrected by way of the determined posit

Abstract: The invention relates to a Neuro-navigation system comprising a reflector referencing system including passive reflectors and a marker system with markers or landmarks wherein the reflectors as well as the markers as regards their shape, size and material selection as well as their arrangement or attachment on the parts of the body to be operatively treated and on the surgical instruments are configured so that mapping their locations is substantially facilitated or is able to take place more accurately positioned by a computer/camera unit having a graphic display terminal as well as the operative treatment with the aid of this unit. Optionally a surgical microscope, an ultrasonic diagnostic system as well as a calibration procedure may be integrated in the Neuro-navigation system in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the function of a particular area of the brain, wherein at least one point on the brain is stimulated and/or inhibited, and from the presence of a perceived but not actually present sensory impression as a result of a stimulation pattern and/or a not perceived but actually present sensory impression as a result of an inhibiting pattern, the stimulated or inhibited area of the brain is functionally assigned, and to a device for determining the function of a particular area of the brain, comprising at least one device for stimulating and/or inhibiting at least one particular area of a brain and a device for generating a visual and/or acoustic and/or sensory and/or olfactory sensory impression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stimulating specific areas of a brain using an induction device (1), comprising the following steps: recording the spatial structure of the head, in particular the brain; generating a simulation model of the induction device (1); and arranging the induction device (1) relative to the head such that a specific area of the brain determined by means of the simulation model of the induction device (1) is stimulated by a current flowing in the induction device (1), as well as to a method for stimulating specific areas of a brain using an induction device (1), comprising the following steps: recording the spatial structure of the head, in particular the brain; generating a simulation model of the head; and arranging the induction device (1) relative to the head such that a specific area of the brain determined by means of the simulation model of the head is stimulated by a current flowing in the induction device (1), as well as to a device for stimulating specific areas of a br

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing or updating a radiotherapy plan within the framework of inversely planned radiotherapy, wherein an up-to-date radiotherapy plan is calculated at least partly on the basis of the results of an already existing, approved, older plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maneuvering a catheter into the interior of a body, comprising a support stiletto (5) which may be inserted into the catheter tube (1) and which sustains the shape of said catheter tube (1) as it penetrates into the interior of the body, wherein a position-indicating magnetic tracking portion (7, 8, 9, 10) is arranged on said support stiletto (5) which may be detected by means of a magnetic tracking-based navigation portion (11, 12).

Abstract: A system for medical detection and treatment comprising a number of treatment and/or detection devices which exchange data with each other within the context of a medical treatment, in particular a surgical or radiotherapeutic and/or radiosurgical operation, wherein the data are exchanged via radio interfaces in and/or on the devices.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating x-ray image data for medical navigation using a calibration instrument that is detected and tracked by a medical navigation system and has a plurality of localization structures that are detectable in x-ray images. The localization structures are arranged on at least two spaced supports. The method includes producing an x-ray image without a patient of the localization structures while the calibration instrument is tracked by a medical navigation system. After the x-ray image is registered in the medical navigation system using the localization structures, at least one of the spaced supports is removed from the calibration instrument. A second x-ray image is taken of a patient together with the calibration instrument with the support removed. The two images are compared to determine whether there is sufficient correspondence of the localization structures visible in the two images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of at least one object in a navigation system of co-ordinates, wherein: reference points and/or markers (4) are connected in a defined positional relationship to the object; the position of the object is detected in relation to a detection system of co-ordinates; the position of the reference points (4) is detected in relation to the detection system of co-ordinates; the position of the reference points is detected in relation to a navigation system of co-ordinates; and the position of the object is determined in the navigation system of co-ordinates, from the position of the at least one reference point (4) in the detection system of co-ordinates; as well as to a device for determining the position of an object in a navigation system of co-ordinates.

Abstract: A method for breath compensation in radiation therapy, particularly radiotherapy/radiosurgery, wherein the movement of the target volume inside the patient is detected and tracked in real time during radiation by a movement detector. Adaptation to the movement of the target volume inside the patient is achieved by one or more components of a radiotherapy apparatus to compensate for or take into consideration the movement during treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for showing three-dimensionally defined fiducial points in a video camera image involving monitoring of a spatial region by at least two cameras which can map invisible light, especially infrared light, and by at least one video camera, computer-assisted analysis of the image data of the cameras, using the three-dimensional data obtained by means of the invisible-light cameras to compute the spatial location of objects located in the monitored spatial region as mapped by the invisible-light cameras, and displaying the fiducial points assigned to the objects together with the video image; the invention also relating to an apparatus for implementing the method or for visually verifying the correct position of an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching an element securely to a body, in particular to a bone, wherein the device comprises at least one movable holding element enabling the device to be tensed against the body, as well as a system for attaching an element securely to a body comprising a connecting element which may be attached to the body.

Abstract: An inverse planning method and apparatus for radiotherapy treatment of a target volume in a body are characterized by using a computer to calculate the results (dose distribution) of multiple treatment solutions (proposed radiation beam arrangements); and simultaneously displaying the calculated results for at least two of the treatment solutions for comparison by a treatment planner to enable the treatment planner to select a desired one of the treatment solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering a patient data set obtained by an imaging process in camera navigation-supported surgical operations, comprising the following steps: producing a patient data set by means of a tomographic scan or an imaging process for the body of the patient or a part thereof, applying at least one marker array, identifiable and trackable in the navigation system, to at least one solid body structure, preferably a bone structure, after the patient has been brought into an operating room and during treatment, in particular after the area to be treated has been exposed, producing one or more x-ray images of the area to be treated by means of an x-ray unit, the spatial position of said images in the navigation system being determined, updating, by means of a computer-assisted assignment, the register of the patient data set with the positional data obtained from the x-ray image, and detecting and re-registering movements or relative movements in the area to be treated by t

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for electrophysiologically localizing target areas in the brain, comprising a multi-channel microprobe (10) which at its active end comprises a multitude of tightly packed microelectrodes arranged axially in rows, via which electrophysiological efferences are obtained in the target area and forwarded to an evaluating unit, wherein the microprobe (10) is assigned to a tracking device (5) which allows the microprobe (10) to be positionally detected by means of a neuronavigation system (1, 2, 3, 8) and the insertion of the probe to be stereotactically planned.

Abstract: A method for assisting in a dental treatment, wherein: a three-dimensional volume data set for the tooth and/or jaw area of a patient is produced by means of an imaging method, for example tomographic imaging; the tooth and/or jaw area is registered and/or referenced by means of a computer-assisted navigation and/or tracking system using the volume data set; instruments and apparatus for treatment are registered and/or referenced relative to said computer-assisted navigation and/or tracking system, and positionally tracked; and wherein said navigation and/or tracking system supplies information for assisting and/or guiding the treatment before, during or after the treatment, by means of an output unit. It further concerns a device for implementing the method and the application of the device for assisting in a dental treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning a body (1) for radiation comprising the steps: inserting a position sensor (6) into the body (1); detecting the position of the sensor (6) relative to a point or volume (2) to be irradiated, and positioning the body (1) using signals sensed by the position sensor (6) so that the point or volume (2) to be irradiated is located in a specific site circumscribing an isocenter (3). It also relates to an apparatus for positioning a body (1) including a position sensor (6), which may be placed into the body (1); a controllable patient bench (9) for moving the body (1); a controller (8) which controls the controllable patient bench (9) for moving the body (1) depending on the signals sensed by the position sensor (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supporting the treatment of a patient, of which a patient data record was made available by an image-generating method, by means of a navigation system, the navigation system detecting and tracking the positions of the patient, of his/her parts of the body, and particularly of the target of the treatment and the treatment devices, wherein, either automatically or on demand, either one or several further current patient data records are created by means of an image-generating method, and wherein each current data record is integrated into the navigation system in a computer-aided manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering image information by means of a medical navigation system, wherein: current image information, in particular a current x-ray image of a patient to be registered using the navigation system, is produced; the position of the image information detection device, in particular of the x-ray device, is established by means of the navigation system; the current image information, in particular the current x-ray image, is compared with the aid of a computer with other image information (for example, a previously taken x-ray image); in the event of a difference between the image content of the current and previous image, the new relative position of the image information detection device or x-ray device respectively and of the patient is detected and stored; and the current image information produced or current x-ray image produced, respectively, is registered in the navigation system, based on the information on the new relative position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (20, 30) for determining the position of an incision block (1, 10) comprising: a positioning element (21, 31) with at least one reference point (22a, 22b, 22c; 33a, 33b, 33c), whose spatial position can be detected; and a position determining element (24a, 24b; 34) which is firmly connected to the positioning element (21, 31), as well as to a method for determining the position of an incision block, wherein: the location of a positioning element (41) on a body structure, in particular on a bone, is detected; the location of a positioning element (21, 31) for positioning a position determining element (24a, 24b; 34) is detected; and the relative location of an incision block (1, 10) to the body structure is determined from the location of the positioning element (41) and the location of the positioning element (21, 31).