Abstract: Medical imaging systems and methods for representing a 3D volume containing at least one foreign object introduced into a tissue. Imaging methods may include provision of a 3D volume containing voxels of at least one foreign object and voxels of tissue surrounding the at least one foreign object, identification of the voxels of the at least one foreign object by application of a processing rule, segmentation of the voxels of the at least one foreign object from the voxels of the tissue surrounding the at least one foreign object while maintaining the 3D volume, generation of a synthetic volume from a residual volume and the volume of the at least one foreign object, and representation of the synthetic volume on a display device using a windowing system.

Abstract: Medical imaging systems and methods for determining contours of anatomical structures of vessels and vessel sections for representation in X-ray-based fluoroscopic images. Methods can include capturing a mask image, recording at least one filling image including a vascular tree filled with contrast agent, subtracting the mask image from the at least one filling image to produce at least one vessel image, generating a segmented vessel image by segmenting the vascular tree filled with contrast agent in the at least one vessel image and removing from the at least one segmented vessel image such vessels and vessel sections that do not meet a threshold value, wherein the threshold value represents a function of at least one predetermined structural feature, and superimposing the at least one segmented vessel image with a live X-ray image and reproduction on a display device.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a circular-arc-shaped hybrid C-profile for a C-arm X-ray apparatus, said profile having a lightweight profile as the main body and a steel profile as a support profile for a bearing unit, the lightweight profile and the steel profile being connected to one another by connecting means.

Abstract: Medical imaging methods for processing a three-dimensional (3D) image data set with two-dimensional X-ray images from an X-ray machine using a target function. Methods can include providing a 3D image data set of at least one examination zone in which anatomical structures are present, segmenting the image data set to provide a 3D vascular structure model and a 3D bone structure model, recording a first two-dimensional (2D) X-ray image containing at least a portion of the vascular structure and at least a portion of the bone structure, recording a second 2D X-ray image of the examination zone at a different contrast agent concentration, and subtracting the first and second 2D X-ray images to generate a subtraction image. An optimum projective geometry may then be determined using a three-part target function based on the 3D image data and the 2D X-ray images.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an X-ray system for obtaining referencing information in the form of a coordinate transformation between a first volume and a second volume, with the volumes partially overlapping. In this case two partially overlapping subareas of an extended object having a continuous distribution of a physical size are discretely sampled with a measuring apparatus; the volumes are reconstructed and the overlapping volumes are iteratively changed, wherein a bandpass filter is applied to the overlapping volumes, where said bandpass filter changes the Fourier domain representation of the overlapping volumes. The filtered overlapping volumes, in which the artifacts, induced by the discrete sampling, are matched, are compared by means of a measure of similarity, which is iteratively maximized by means of mathematical optimization.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a method and an apparatus for recording a 3D data set of an ROI (50) complete in the central layer by using a cone-beam C-arm X-ray apparatus (1) having a cone beam (32) with a cone angle (35) in the plane of the C-arm and having a virtual scan center (51) in the center of the ROI (50), wherein the scan is performed with a trajectory pair situated in the virtual scan center (51) and composed of a focus trajectory and a detector trajectory and wherein the rotational portion (402) of the detector trajectory is formed from piece-wise defined superellipses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a manually adjustable monitor bracket for a flat panel display of a mobile diagnostic device that includes at least two joints with mutually parallel pivot axes, the joints being connected to one another by a first arm.

Abstract: A method for recording a scan from a series of 2D X-ray projections using a C-arm X-ray apparatus to reconstruct a region of interest. The method includes positioning the C-arm X-ray apparatus in an initial configuration and, while recording a series of X-ray projection views: translating the C-arm along a first path within a C-arm plane parallel to the periphery of the C-arm until the central ray vector extends through the virtual scan center and the region of interest is disposed within the fan beam, moving the C-arm peripherally along the orbital movement axis by at least 180° minus the fan angle, and translating the C-arm along a second path within the C-arm plane until the second limiting vector of the fan beam is tangential to the region of interest.

Abstract: A method for recording a scan from a series of 2D X-ray projections using a C-arm X-ray apparatus allows an analytical volume reconstruction of a disk-shaped region of interest. The C-arm X-ray apparatus has a coherent, flat focus trajectory comprising three sections on which the focus of the X-ray source is moved with recording of X-ray projection views. The X-ray source emits a cone beam in the direction of an imaging X-ray detector, such as in particular a flat panel detector FPD. In some implementations, the cone beam is configured as a fan beam with a fan angle in the plane of the focus trajectory, which contains the ROI with the virtual scan center in its center, wherein the central ray of the fan beam is located on the bisector of the fan angle, and stands vertically on the ray inlet window.

Abstract: A solid-body X-ray image detector and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The detector has a circular surface area arrangement of CCD or CMOS detector pixels on a substrate, a scintillator arranged on the substrate, and a circular detector surface area, wherein the substrate comprises a single, substantially circular silicon wafer and the detector surface area takes up the surface area of the silicon wafer up to a narrow edge region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for performing coordinate transformation for navigation-guided procedures using an imaging diagnostic tool, especially an X-ray diagnostic tool, and a position-determining system. In the vicinity of the image receiver, the diagnostic tool has one or more three-dimensional reference structure that can be touched with a pointer of a position-determining system. From the known geometry of the three-dimensional reference structure and the coordinates of the touched points determined by the position-determining system, a coordinate transformation is created between the coordinate system of the diagnostic tool and the coordinate system of the position-determining system. Navigation for an instrument captured by the position-determining system can be performed in reconstructed images of the diagnostic tool after the registration procedure.

Abstract: A localizing unit for an X-ray diagnostic system covered with a sterile drape is provided. In one embodiment, the localizing unit can be sterilized and has an adapter, which includes a mechanism for puncturing the sterile drape and a mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on a housing of the X-ray diagnostic system. The adapter may be detachably held in predetermined holders on the housing of the X-ray diagnostic system and may be positioned on the housing in a reproducible manner. In some embodiments, the mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on the housing includes an elastically deformable, surrounding seal, which upon positioning the adapter, produces a force on the sterile drape in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a monitoring device and method for measuring, recording and transmitting a pre-determined set of electrocardiogram measurements. The device provides for an unassisted six or twelve channel measurements of heart and vascular functions using a visual graphical output. Results of the measurements are charted and can be reviewed and analyzed by an authorized health care provider.

Abstract: A solid-body X-ray image detector and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The detector has a circular surface area arrangement of CCD or CMOS detector pixels on a substrate, a scintillator arranged on the substrate, and a circular detector surface area, wherein the substrate comprises a single, substantially circular silicon wafer and the detector surface area takes up the surface area of the silicon wafer up to a narrow edge region.

Abstract: Methods for empirical determination of a correction function for correcting beam hardening and stray beam effects of water-equivalent tissue in projection radiography or computed tomography using an imaging detector, and apparatuses for implementing the same are disclosed. The projection values obtained from the logarithmic values of the detector signals are corrected, the corrected projection values being represented by a correction function dependent on the tube voltage applied during the X-ray projection recording, the coefficients of which function are determined from a single calibration scan on an object-like calibration phantom made of water-like material.

Abstract: Embodiments of an X-ray diagnostic imaging system comprise a plurality of coded 2D and/or 3D markers associated with surfaces of system components. The position and coding of at least some of the coded markers can be determined by a position detection system. In some embodiments, a coded marker is assigned a reference point having a known position on the surface of the system component. The positions of the system components in space can be calculated based at least in part on a reference point network determined from the position of the individual reference points measured with the position detection system. In some embodiments, the coded markers represent information with a data matrix code (DMC).

Abstract: Embodiments of an X-ray source for a mobile X-ray diagnostic unit with a C-arm include a generator vessel that may be mounted to a hollow frame of the C-arm. The generator vessel may have a first subregion with a high-voltage generator and a second subregion with an X-ray source. In some embodiments, the first subregion, the second subregion, or both subregions may be at least partially inside a portion of the hollow frame of the C-arm. The generator vessel may be at least partially filled with insulating oil for cooling the high-voltage generator and/or the X-ray source.

Abstract: A travel stand for a mobile X-ray diagnostic machine with a laser detection system containing measurement devices to determine the position of the travel stand in a spatially fixed system of coordinates is provided. The measuring devices can operate by non-contact measurement techniques and that the position of the travel stand can be determined by techniques such as triangulation. An X-ray diagnostic machine with such a position detection system offers advantages in the 3D reconstruction from 2D X-ray projection images and in navigationally guided operations under X-ray monitoring.

Abstract: A method of improving the volume reconstruction in navigationally guided operations is provided. In certain implementations, a phantom which contains X-ray positive marks and marks detectable by a position detection system in a fixed spatial relation to each other is positioned in the region of the volume being investigated on the subject. For the volume reconstruction, a series of 2D X-ray projection images can be created, each of them containing, alongside the structures of the subject being examined, the images of the X-ray positive marks of the phantom as image information. Each 2D data set is transformed by a familiar method, in which, for example, the mechanical deviations of a real-world C-arm type X-ray diagnostic machine are identified by a kinematic model and are corrected. The transformed 2D data can be used for the volume reconstruction, and the volume model with the position information of the X-ray positive marks is relayed to a navigation system.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present application relates to methods for calibrating an X-ray diagnostic system and apparatus for use in the calibration methods. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a position detection system having an acquisition unit. An X-ray phantom is disposed near the acquisition unit in a known position and/or orientation relative to a coordinate system of the position detection system. The X-ray phantom may be detachably mounted on the acquisition unit.