Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomography unit and a method is provided in which a patient couch may be moved in relation to the longitudinal direction into the patient tunnel in the transversal direction into a left-hand side extreme position and an opposite-lying right-hand side extreme position. Using an image acquisition facility in the left-hand side extreme position a right-hand side part is acquired and in the right-hand side extreme position a left-hand side part of the outer contour of the predetermined object is acquired. Using the image acquisition facility, the outer contour of the object is subsequently created from the left-hand side part of the outer contour and also from the right-hand side part of the outer contour.

Abstract: A smart system and methods for coupling a medical transporter apparatus with an imaging apparatus, involving: a smart docking module comprising at least one coupler responsive to a controller operable by a set of executable instructions, the smart docking module comprising a non-magnetic material; and the smart docking module configured by the controller to automatically perform at least one of: position, dock, engage, latch, lock, interlock, release, emergency-release, quick-release, disengage, emergency-disengage, and quick-disengage the medical transporter apparatus in relation to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: In a method and system for automatically positioning a region of interest of a patient for a medical imaging examination in an isocenter of a medical imaging apparatus, the region of interest of the patient is brought into a patient receiving region of the medical imaging examination for a position-determination measurement, a position-determination measurement is performed to capture position-determination image data, the position-determination image data is analyzed to determine a position of the region of interest of the patient from the position-determination image data, and the patient is automatically positioned such that the position of the region of interest of the patient coincides with the position of the isocenter of the medical imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining ischemic status. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices and obtaining a relative decrease of diffusion magnitude due to the ischemic status from the magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices. The invention also relates to a method for assessing stroke onset time. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices and obtaining a relative decrease of pure anisotropy due to stroke from the magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect a shear wave propagating in an object. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an index value that indicates viscosity within the object and that is not dependent on any physical model related to viscoelasticity, by analyzing the detected shear wave.

Abstract: A brachytherapy applicator is formed to use when administering therapeutic radiation to a particular patient's targeted area via brachytherapy. This process accesses image information for a patient that includes the targeted area and at least some adjacent non-targeted area. A control circuit uses that image information with prescribed dosing information for that patient to automatically generate a brachytherapy applicator design specifically to treat the particular patient's targeted area via brachytherapy. A corresponding brachytherapy applicator is then manufactured as a function, at least in part, of the brachytherapy applicator design to provide a manufactured brachytherapy applicator.

Abstract: A system and method of implanting pacing lead in a patient's heart. The system may include a catheter configured to by inserted through the coronary sinus ostium such that the distal end region of the catheter is positioned past the anterolateral vein and proximate at least one septal perforating vein. The catheter is configured to inject contrast proximate the septal perforating vein to identify an implant region for a pacing lead. Further, a controller is configured to deliver pacing therapy to the implant region.

Abstract: A system for determining a location for a surgical procedure, having a 3D spatial mapping camera, the 3D spatial mapping camera configured to map a bone. The system also includes a marker attached to a distal end section of the bone, such that the 3D spatial mapping camera is configured to capture a plurality of images of the marker as the bone is rotated in a non-linear path. The images also include data identifying a location of the marker. The system also includes a computer system that receives the data from the images captured by the 3D spatial mapping camera and determines a location of a mechanical axis of the bone, and a mixed reality display, where the computer system is configured to send the location of the mechanical axis to the mixed reality display and the mixed reality display is configured to provide a virtual display of the mechanical axis of the bone.

Abstract: A microscopy system includes a microscope, a stand configured to mount the microscope and including a drive device configured to move the microscope, a detection device configured to detect a spatial position of a target fastened to a body part or to an instrument, wherein the position detection device includes the target with at least one marker element and an image capture device configured to optically capture the target. The microscopy system further includes at least one control device configured to operate the microscopy system according to the detected position of the target, wherein the position detection device is configured to determine the position of the target by evaluating a two-dimensional image of the image capture device. In addition, a method for operating the microscopy system is provided.

Abstract: Respective longitudinal insertion paths for two tools are planned and associated with 3D image data of a skeletal portion. While respective portions of the tools are disposed at first respective locations along their respective longitudinal insertion paths, first and second x-rays of the respective portions of the tools and the skeletal portion are acquired from respective first and second views. A computer processor matches between a tool in the first x-ray and the same tool in the second x-ray by: (A) identifying respective tool elements of each tool within the first and second x-rays, (B) registering the first and second x-rays to the 3D image data, and (C) based upon the identified respective tool elements and the registration, identifying for at least one tool element a correspondence between the tool element and the respective planned longitudinal insertion path for that tool. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system (11) includes a medical probe (36) for insertion into a cavity of an organ, which includes a position and direction sensor (60) and a camera (45), both operating in a sensor coordinate system (62). The system further includes a processor (44) configured to: receive, from an imaging system (21) operating in an image coordinate system (28), a three-dimensional image of the cavity including open space and tissue; receive, from the medical probe, signals indicating positions and respective directions of the medical probe inside the cavity; receive, from the camera, respective visualized locations inside the cavity; register the image coordinate system with the sensor coordinate system so as to identify one or more voxels in the image at the visualized locations, and when the identified voxels have density values in the received image that do not correspond to the open space, to update the density values of the identified voxels to correspond to the open space.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry and display circuitry. The processing circuitry estimates a position of a structure in a subject based on data obtained by scanning with respect to the subject and analyzes tissue characterization in the subject. The display circuitry displays an analysis result of the tissue characterization obtained by the processing circuitry with respect to a plurality of positions in the subject except for the estimated structure position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an augmented reality surgical microscope (1) having a camera (2), preferably a multispectral or hyperspectral camera. The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) retrieves input image data (22) of an object (8) comprising in particular live tissue (10). The input image data (22) comprise visible-light image data (26) as well as fluorescent-light image data (24) of at least one fluorophore (14). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) permits the automatic identification and marking in pseudo-color (86) of various types of vascular plexus structures (54a 54b, 54c) and/or of blood flow direction (56) depending on the fluorescent-light image data (24). A pre-operative three-dimensional atlas (36) and/or ultrasound image data (39) may be elastically matched to the visible-light image data (26). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) allows different combinations of the various image data to be output simultaneously to different displays (75).

Abstract: An implantable magnetic marker comprising at least one piece of a large Barkhausen jump material (LBJ) containing at least one loop. The coiled marker is deployed to mark a tissue site in the body for subsequent surgery, and a magnetic detection system with a handheld probe excites the marker above or below the switching field required for bistable switching of the marker causing a harmonic response to be generated in a bistable or sub-bistable mode that allows the marker to be detected and localised.

Abstract: A method for analysing a structure within a patient's heart includes receiving a patient study including a plurality of images of the patient's heart obtained by an ultrasound device, extracting respective sets of pixel data from the images, and using trained machine learning algorithms to analyse the sets of pixel data to a) identify first images captured using a colour Doppler modality and assign the first images to said structure, b) identify second images captured using spectral Doppler modality and assign the second images to said structure, c) determine a flow convergence zone radius from an analysis of the first images; and d) determine a maximum gradient of structure, from an analysis of the second images. The flow convergence zone radius, the maximum gradient of structure, and a Nyquist value identified for the colour Doppler modality, are combined to determine an Effective Regurgitant Orifice Area for the structure.

Abstract: Method for optimizing an MR control sequence for acquiring MR data of an examination subject by means of an MR device having gradient coils. The method includes providing an MR control sequence having sequence portions, each having an excitation portion, a phase encoding portion and a readout portion, wherein the phase encoding portion is arranged in each case between the excitation portion and the readout portion with respect to time; providing a defined parameter for the MR control sequence; providing an optimization objective; ascertaining usage time of the gradient coils between the excitation portion and the readout portion with respect to time for each of the sequence portions; optimizing the excitation portions for each of the sequence portions considering the ascertained usage time for the corresponding sequence portion and the defined parameter with regard to the optimization objective; and providing the optimized MR control sequence having the optimized excitation portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.

Abstract: A system for visualizing movement of structures within a patient's chest is described herein. The system includes an electromagnetic tracking system, a computing device and a display. The computing device includes a processor configured generate a 3D model of an interior of the patient, obtain positions of EM sensors for the 3D model, determine positions of the EM sensors at intervals during the respiratory cycle, determine positions of the EM sensors at maximum tidal volume and minimum tidal volume, determine differences between the positions of the EM sensors at maximum tidal volume and for the 3D model, generate a 3D model at maximum tidal volume based on the differences between the positions of the EM sensors at maximum tidal volume and for the 3D model, and store in memory the 3D model at maximum tidal volume.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include a catheter. The catheter can include an elongate shaft that extends along a longitudinal axis. The elongate shaft can include a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. A magnetically permeable shaft strip can be disposed along a particular shaft length of the elongate shaft. The magnetically permeable shaft strip can longitudinally extend along the elongate shaft.

Abstract: An imaging and display system for guiding medical interventions includes a wearable display, such as a goggle display, for viewing by a user. The display presents a composite, or combined image that includes pre-operative surgical navigation images, intraoperative images, and in-vivo microscopy images or sensing data. The pre-operative images are acquired from scanners, such as MRI and CT scanners, while the intra-operative images are acquired in real-time from a camera system carried by the goggle display for imaging the patient being treated so as to acquire intraoperative images, such as fluorescence images. A probe, such as a microscopy probe or a sensing probe, is used to acquire in-vivo imaging/sensing data from the patient. Additionally, the intra-operative and in-vivo images are acquired using tracking and registration techniques to align them with the pre-operative image and the patient to form a composite image for display by the goggle display.