Abstract: The present invention relates to patient positioning. In order to facilitate patient positioning, an apparatus is provided that comprises an input unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. The input unit is configured to receive an X-ray image of an anatomy of interest of a patient obtained from a first image acquisition and a target set of pose parameters describing a target position of the anatomy of interest for image acquisition. The processing unit is configured to detect the anatomy of interest in the X-ray image, to determine a set of pose parameters describing a current position of the detected anatomy of interest in the first image acquisition, to determine a difference between the determined set of pose parameters and the target set of pose parameters, and to construct a trajectory that defines a sequence of sets of pose parameters for bringing the anatomy of interest from the current position to the target position, if the difference is equal to or greater than a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prospective analysis of subject and/or implant positioning. Provided is a computer-implemented method for assisting positioning of a subject having an orthopedic implant in X-ray imaging. The method comprises applying one or more radiofrequency, RF, signals to an anatomy of interest of the subject where the orthopedic implant is located. The method further comprises detecting a response signal and/or signal change in response to the applied RF signal impacting the orthopedic implant and tissue being adjacent to and/or surrounding the implant, and determining, from the detected response signal and/or signal change, an implant positioning estimation relative to an X-ray imaging device. Further, the method comprises determining, from the implant positioning estimation, a feedback being indicative for positioning the X-ray imaging device and the subject to each other with respect to a target positioning, to be provided for assisting the positioning.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving more accurate results when applying an image processing task to a series of medical images of a patient, without significantly increasing processing resource. The proposed system and method is based on receiving a plurality of image sequences of a particular anatomical region, each capturing cyclical movement of an anatomical object. Each image sequence is supplied to a classifier module which employs use of one or more machine learning algorithms to derive at least one score for each image sequence indicative of predicted success or quality of a result of the image processing task if applied to the given image series. This permits an assessment to be made in advance of which of the plurality of image series is most likely to result in the best (e.g. highest quality, or greatest amount of information) results from the image processing task.

Abstract: Technology provides baseline images for diagnostic applications, including receiving a diagnostic image relating to a condition of a patient, the diagnostic image reflecting one of a normal state or an abnormal state of the condition, and generating a baseline image via a neural network using the diagnostic image, where the neural network is trained to generate a prediction of the diagnostic image reflecting a normal state of the condition. The neural network can include a generative adversarial network (GAN) trained only on image data with a normal state of the condition, where generating the baseline image includes an optimization process to maximize a similarity between the diagnostic image and a response of the GAN. Generating the baseline image can include selecting a portion of the diagnostic image, and adjusting a relevance weighting to be applied to the selected portion of the diagnostic image in the optimization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to patient positioning. In order to facilitate patient positioning, an apparatus is provided that comprises an input unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. The input unit is configured to receive an X-ray image of an anatomy of interest of a patient obtained from a first image acquisition and a target set of pose parameters describing a target position of the anatomy of interest for image acquisition. The processing unit is configured to detect the anatomy of interest in the X-ray image, to determine a set of pose parameters describing a current position of the detected anatomy of interest in the first image acquisition, to determine a difference between the determined set of pose parameters and the target set of pose parameters, and to construct a trajectory that defines a sequence of sets of pose parameters for bringing the anatomy of interest from the current position to the target position, if the difference is equal to or greater than a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retrospective analysis of subject and/or implant positioning. Provided is a method and device for assisting positioning of a subject having an implant in X-ray imaging. The method comprises the steps of receiving (S1) X-ray image data of the subject including the implant, receiving (S2) exam request data indicating at least an exam type to be performed for the specific implant, and determining at least one set of image features being assigned to the requested exam type and indicative for positioning of the subject and/or the implant relative to an X-ray imaging device. Further, the method comprises analyzing (S3) an image content of the received X-ray image data for the determined set of image features, and determining (S4), from the analysis of the image content, a feedback being indicative for positioning the subject and the X-ray imaging device to each other with respect to a target positioning, to be provided for assisting the positioning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prospective analysis of subject and/or implant positioning. Provided is a computer-im-plemented method for assisting positioning of a subject having an orthopedic implant in X-ray imaging. The method comprises applying one or more radiofrequency, RF, signals to an anatomy of interest of the subject where the orthopedic implant is located. The method further comprises detecting a response signal and/or signal change in response to the applied RF signal impacting the orthopedic implant and tissue being adjacent to and/or surrounding the implant, and determining, from the detected response signal and/or signal change, an implant positioning estimation relative to an X-ray imaging device. Further, the method comprises determining, from the implant positioning estimation, a feedback being indicative for positioning the X-ray imaging device and the subject to each other with respect to a target positioning, to be provided for assisting the positioning.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving more accurate results when applying an image processing task to a series of medical images of a patient, without significantly increasing processing resource. The proposed system and method is based on receiving a plurality of image sequences of a particular anatomical region, each capturing cyclical movement of an anatomical object. Each image sequence is supplied to a classifier module which employs use of one or more machine learning algorithms to derive at least one score for each image sequence indicative of predicted success or quality of a result of the image processing task if applied to the given image series. This permits an assessment to be made in advance of which of the plurality of image series is most likely to result in the best (e.g. highest quality, or greatest amount of information) results from the image processing task.

Abstract: An image processing system and related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) configured for receiving an input image. A filter (FIL) of the system filters said input image to obtain a structure image from said input image, said structure image including a range of image values. A range identifier (RID) of the system identifies, based on an image histogram for the structure image, an image value sub-range within said range. The sub-range being associated with a region of interest. The system output through an output interface (OUT) a specification for said image value sub-range. In addition or instead, a mask image for the region of interest or for region or low information is output.

Abstract: An image processing system and related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) configured for receiving an input image. A filter (FIL) of the system filters said input image to obtain a structure image from said input image, said structure image including a range of image values. A range identifier (RID) of the system identifies, based on an image histogram for the structure image, an image value sub-range within said range. The sub-range being associated with a region of interest. The system output through an output interface (OUT) a specification for said image value sub-range. In addition or instead, a mask image for the region of interest or for region or low information is output.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for processing a medical image (IM) of a structure of interest (SOI). The apparatus comprises a first unit (101) configured for decomposing the medical image (IM) into at least one band pass image (Bdl) and a low pass image (L); a user interface (102) arranged for enabling a user to specify an enhancement curve (EC) for the radiographic image (IM) based on at least one of (i) a metric structure length (l), (ii) a structure selectivity (s) and (iii) a structure enhancement strength (a); a second unit (103) configured for applying the enhancement curve (EC) to the at least one band pass image (Bdl) for generating at least one enhanced band pass image EBdl; and a third unit (105) configured for composing an enhanced medical image (EIM) based on the at least one enhanced band pass image (EBdl) and the low pass image (L). The invention also relates to a corresponding method of processing a medical image (IM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compression of breasts during mammography, and in particular to a compression element for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations. In order to ensure an increased user comfort and an improved application of pressure force, a compression element (10) for a breast holding arrangement for mammography examinations is provided, comprising a supporting structure (12), a first surface (14), and a second surface (16). The supporting structure is configured to be attached to a mounting structure for exerting a compression force on a breast under examination. The first and second surfaces are attached to the support structure; and the first and second surfaces are arranged facing in opposite directions. The second surface is provided to compress the breast under examination. The first surface is provided to be visible to a user, wherein the first surface is provided as an optically adaptable surface (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for processing a medical image (IM) of a structure of interest (SOI). The apparatus comprises a first unit (101) configured for decomposing the medical image (IM) into at least one band pass image (Bdl) and a low pass image (L); a user interface (102) arranged for enabling a user to specify an enhancement curve (EC) for the radiographic image (IM) based on at least one of (i) a metric structure length (l), (ii) a structure selectivity (s) and (iii) a structure enhancement strength (a); a second unit (103) configured for applying the enhancement curve (EC) to the at least one band pass image (Bdl) for generating at least one enhanced band pass image EBdl; and a third unit (105) configured for composing an enhanced medical image (EIM) based on the at least one enhanced band pass image (EBdl) and the low pass image (L). The invention also relates to a corresponding method of processing a medical image (IM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical image viewing in relation with navigation in X-ray imaging. In order to provide improved X-ray images, for example for cardiac procedures, allowing a facilitated perception while ensuring that increased details are visible, a medical image viewing device (10) for navigation in X-ray imaging is provided that comprises an image data providing unit (12), a processing unit (14), and a display unit (16). The image data providing unit is configured to provide an angiographic image of a region of interest of an object. The processing unit is configured to identify a suppression area for partial bone suppression within the angiographic image, and to identify and locally suppress predetermined bone structures in the angiographic image in the suppression area, and to generate a partly-bone-suppressed image. Further, the display unit is configured to display the partly-bone-suppressed image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lung measurement. In order to provide enhanced information about a patient that facilitates further assessment steps, 2D X-ray image data of a patient's chest is provided, and the image data is segmented to identify lung structures to provide segmented image data separated from un-segmented areas. Further, spatial lung volume information is extracted from the image data using the segmented image data derived from the image data. Still further, lungs symmetry information is determined using the extracted spatial lung volume information. Finally, the lungs symmetry information is provided to a user. For example, a 2D X-ray image data of a patient's chest is provided (84) and a lungs mask image is formed (86) after the step of segmenting the input image data. Then, the lungs mask image is used to define areas, within which a predetermined adaptation is applied (88) to the original 2D X-ray image data producing a thorax mask image.

Abstract: A digital image (40) comprises pixels with intensities relating to different energy levels.

Abstract: Soft body tissue, such as a female breast, is imaged using X-ray projection techniques and optical tomography techniques. First image data for a first image of a breast (17) are acquired by X-ray projection using an X-ray source (3) and an X-ray detector (5). Second image data for a second image are acquired using optical tomography equipment comprising a light source (9) and a light detector (11). From the first image data, estimated bulk optical properties of the breast (17) are be derived. Based on such estimated bulk optical properties, an optical tomography image is reconstructed from the second image data with high image quality. Performing mammography acquisition at different compression states of the breast (17) improves patient comfort. Mammograms are acquired at two different compression states wherein a first compression state is adapted to provide high image resolution. At a second compression state, another mammogram may be acquired together with an optical tomography image.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system element (3) includes two compression elements (8a, 8b), which are movable relative to one another. An object (10) is introducible and compressible between the compression elements. At least one of the compression elements is adapted to alter its geometrical shape and/or alignment relative to the other during compression. At least one partly X-ray opaque marker element (24) is provided on one of the compression elements, which marker element is adapted to allow detection of an alteration of the geometrical shape of the respective compression element (8a, b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to lung measurement. In order to provide enhanced information about a patient that facilitates further assessment steps, 2D X-ray image data of a patient's chest is provided, and the image data is segmented to identify lung structures to provide segmented image data separated from un-segmented areas. Further, spatial lung volume information is extracted from the image data using the segmented image data derived from the image data. Still further, lungs symmetry information is determined using the extracted spatial lung volume information. Finally, the lungs symmetry information is provided to a user. For example, a 2D X-ray image data of a patient's chest is provided (84) and a lungs mask image is formed (86) after the step of segmenting the input image data. Then, the lungs mask image is used to define areas, within which a predetermined adaptation is applied (88) to the original 2D X-ray image data producing a thorax mask image.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic selection of optimal tomography slices by executing a number of tentative segmentations using the same interactively provided in-slice seed point on some or all available tomography slices. The appropriate segmentation boundaries are then marked and the slice with the best segmentation goodness value (figure of merit) is presented to the user via a viewer. The steps are repeated when the user changes the seed point. The optimal segmentation boundary is displayed on top of a single simulated mammography image, fused from all tomography slice images.