Abstract: A flow pattern in a tube system is calculated from acquired image data. From the flow pattern virtual image data are generated and compared with the acquired data in order to determine a quality measure for the usability of the generated flow pattern at characteristic locations.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a deformable model (300) for segmenting an anatomical structure in a medical image. The anatomical structure comprises a wall. The deformable model (300) is generated such that it comprises, in addition to two surface meshes (320, 360), an intermediate layer mesh (340) for being applied in-between a first surface layer of the wall and a second surface layer of the wall. In generating the intermediate layer mesh (340), the mesh topology of at least part (400) of the intermediate layer mesh is matched to the mesh topology of one of the surface meshes (320, 360), thereby establishing matching mesh topologies. The deformable model (300), as generated, better matches the composition of such walls, thereby providing a more accurate segmentation.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for determining a transformation between different coordinate systems associated with different medical data. In determining the transformation, the system (100) makes use of a third set of anatomical landmarks (040) defined in a reference coordinate system to match a first set of anatomical landmarks (010) defined in a first coordinate system to a second set of anatomical landmarks (020) defined in a second coordinate system. Effectively, the third set of anatomical landmarks is used as an intermediary in obtaining the transformation between both input sets of coordinate systems. As the third set of anatomical landmarks includes the anatomical landmarks of both input sets, it is not needed for both input sets to be identical or even to overlap. Rather, even in case both input sets are entirely disjunct, i.e., not-overlapping, it is still possible to determine the transformation between the different coordinate systems.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for determining a transformation between different coordinate systems associated with different medical data. In determining the transformation, the system (100) makes use of a third set of anatomical landmarks (040) defined in a reference coordinate system to match a first set of anatomical landmarks (010) defined in a first coordinate system to a second set of anatomical landmarks (020) defined in a second coordinate system. Effectively, the third set of anatomical landmarks is used as an intermediary in obtaining the transformation between both input sets of coordinate systems. As the third set of anatomical landmarks includes the anatomical landmarks of both input sets, it is not needed for both input sets to be identical or even to overlap. Rather, even in case both input sets are entirely disjunct, i.e., not-overlapping, it is still possible to determine the transformation between the different coordinate systems.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for motion visualization of a moving object in angiographic images are described. In a preferred embodiment of the method, first a mask image of the object of interest is acquired and a sequence of angiographic images of the object in different phases of motion of the object is acquired. Then, a first angiographic subtraction image and at least a second angiographic subtraction image are generated by subtracting the angiographic images from the mask image. Subsequently, a twice subtracted image is generated by subtracting the first angiographic subtraction image from the second angiographic subtraction image. In this way a double subtraction, i.e. a twice subtracted angiography is performed, to facilitate the assessment of the motion.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus 100 comprising an input 110 for obtaining an image 102 and segmentation data 112 configured for use in segmenting a region of interest in a predetermined type of image, the input being arranged for further obtaining a segmentation data descriptor 116 of the segmentation data, the segmentation data descriptor being indicative of the predetermined type of image, and a processor 120 for (i) obtaining, based on the image, an image descriptor indicative of an actual type of the image, (ii) comparing the image descriptor to the segmentation data descriptor, and (iii) establishing, based on said comparing, a suitability indication 122 for using the segmentation data in segmenting the region of interest in the image to avoid the use of the segmentation data when the predetermined type of image insufficiently matches the actual type of the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for visualizing a conduction tract of a heart. In order to provide a visualization which is helpful in avoiding or finding the conduction tract in, for example, an invasive procedure like ablation of heart tissue, a generic heart model is adapted to geometrical data of the patient's heart, wherein model data indicating a shape and/or position of the conduction tract is modifying in accordance to the adaptation. The modification of the model data is further refined based on electrophysiological data and the refined model is used for generating a visualization.

Abstract: A system (20) for interacting with a three-dimensional object dataset comprises a signal input (21) for receiving a signal from an interaction device (34) comprising a touch sensitive surface (35) having a typical shape of at least part of an object represented by the three-dimensional object dataset, wherein the signal is indicative of a location on the touch sensitive surface (35) that is touched. The system further comprises a mapping unit (22) for mapping the touched location to a corresponding point of the object represented by the three-dimensional object dataset. The three-dimensional object dataset is based on a signal obtained from a scanner (24) arranged for scanning the object.

Abstract: A flow pattern in a tube system is calculated from acquired image data. From the flow pattern virtual image data are generated and compared with the acquired data in order to determine a quality measure for the usability of the generated flow pattern at characteristic locations.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for measuring and removing the influence of pulsatility on contrast agent flow in a region of interest of a vascular system of a patient. Once the change of blood speed over the cardiac cycle is known (pulsatility), this influence is removed from acquired image sequence for outcome control such that “quasi-stationary”, regular flow acquisition is passed on to subsequent visualization and analysis processes. A contrast agent injector is also provided that simultaneously measures and uses ECG to inject a known contrast agent at a fixed point over the cardiac cycle or such that a known amount of contrast agent will arrive at a known time at a region of interest in the vasculature of a patient, thus controlling one of the main unwanted variables in an acquisition of blood flow sequences.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for motion visualization of a moving object in angiographic images are described. In a preferred embodiment of the method, first a mask image of the object of interest is acquired and a sequence of angiographic images of the object in different phases of motion of the object is acquired. Then, a first angiographic subtraction image and at least a second angiographic subtraction image are generated by subtracting the angiographic images from the mask image. Subsequently, a twice subtracted image is generated by subtracting the first angiographic subtraction image from the second angiographic subtraction image. In this way a double subtraction, i.e. a twice subtracted angiography is performed, to facilitate the assessment of the motion.

Abstract: Diagnostic angiograms only provide the projected lumen of a coronary, which is only an indirect measure of blood flow and pressure decline. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a motion compensated determination of a flow dynamics and a pressure decline for stenosis grading is provided, in which the motion compensation is performed on the basis of a tracking of a first position of a first marker and a second position of a second marker in the projection data set. This may provide for a robust and precise flow dynamics and pressure decline determination.

Abstract: An apparatus determines an injection point for targeted drug delivery into a patient's body by injection of the drug into a vessel feeding a target area including a target. To provide the interventionalist with an objective and quantitative assessment of potential drug injection points instead of letting him rely on his subjective impression from the visual inspection of DSA sequences, a processor (4) includes an identification routine (41) for identification of a vessel tree topology of vessels feeding the target area, a flow determination routine (42) for determining the percentage of drug material delivered to said target after injection into different potential injection points in the vessel tree, a selection routine (43) for selecting as optimal injection point the potential injection point resulting in the highest percentage of drug delivery to the target.

Abstract: Adaptively controlling an imaging system (200, 205) includes constructing model feature characteristics (105) of a process over time, determining parameters and commands (110) for controlling the imaging system for each state of the process, performing data acquisition (120) for the process, extracting current features (130) of the process from the acquired data, matching (135) the current features (130) with the model feature characteristics (105) to determine a state of the process (140), and controlling the data acquisition based on the state of the process to produce optimized data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating visual detection of one or more catheter tips in relation to the morphology of an anatomical structure include locating reference catheters relative to heart tissue using an automated navigation support that draws upon prominent image features that are visible in the x-ray fluoroscopy images. The prominent features include catheter tips of reference catheters that are placed at known standard positions in relation to the anatomical structures. Based on the noted prominent features, the systems and methods achieve alignment of the anatomical structures, e.g., the heart morphology, with the interventional devices, e.g., ablation catheter(s) introduced by the physician, and generate a fused or overlaid image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating visual detection of one or more catheter tips in relation to the morphology of an anatomical structure—in real-time—are provided. The disclosed systems and methods are particularly useful for locating reference catheters relative to heart tissue using an automated navigation support that draws upon prominent image features that are visible in the x-ray fluoroscopy images. According to exemplary embodiments, prominent features include one or more catheter tips of reference catheter(s) that are typically placed at known standard positions in relation to the anatomical structures. Based on the noted prominent features, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are effective in achieving alignment of the anatomical structures, e.g., the heart morphology, with the interventional devices, e.g., ablation catheter(s) introduced by the physician, and generating a fused or overlaid image. Advantageous computer software products are also disclosed.

Abstract: In real-time three-dimensional imaging the choice of the visualization method and orientation is crucial for intervention success. The key question is what to ignore and what to show in real-time applications, where user control is not appropriate. An intervention (caused by a user) to an object of interest is visualized without the requirement of an interactive input by the user. Parameters for a visualization procedure are automatically chosen during data acquisition which may allow for an efficient tracking of the actual orientation and relative position of the structure with respect to the object of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the simultaneous reconstruction of the three-dimensional vessel geometry and the flow characteristics in a vessel system. According to one realization of the method, vessel segments (41) of a parametric models are fitted to differently oriented X-ray projections (P1, Pk, PN) of the vessel system that are generated during the passage of a bolus of contrast agent, wherein the fitting takes the imaged contrast agent dynamics and physiological a priori knowledge into account. In an alternative embodiment, the vessel geometry is reconstructed progressively along each vessel, wherein a new segment of a vessel is added based on the continuity of the vessel direction, vessel radius and reconstructed contrast agent dynamics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for computing a risk, the risk relating to injuring an anatomical structure by a medical device during a medical procedure, the system comprising: a structure unit (110) for obtaining a position of the anatomical structure; a device unit (120) for obtaining a position of the medical device; and a risk unit (130) for computing the risk relating to injuring the anatomical structure, based on the position of the medical device and the position of the anatomical structure. The system (100) may be used for planning a path of a medical device, which path minimizes said risk, or for monitoring said risk during the medical procedure.

Abstract: It is described a model-based estimation of the current contraction status (S) of a periodically contracting object such as a beating heart. Thereby, a characteristic feature that is directly related to the contraction status (S) is extracted from a current image (340) and subsequently compared to a model that gives the contraction status (S) of the heart in dependence on the characteristic feature. Thereby, an appropriate patient-individual model may be obtained e.g. from an ECG gated pre-interventional data set. A potential characteristic feature is the distance between two arbitrary reference catheters (341a, 341b, 342a, 342b) that are usually in a fix known standard position during a whole electrophysiological intervention. The knowledge about the current contraction status may be used to combine the current image with other images depicting the object in the same contraction status.