Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) is disclosed that comprises a processor arrangement (16) adapted to receive image data corresponding to a region of interest (1) of a patients cardiovascular system, said image data comprising a temporal sequence (15) of intravascular ultrasound images acquired (150) at different phases of at least one cardiac cycle of said patient, said intravascular ultrasound images imaging overlapping volumes of the patient's cardiovascular system; implement a spatial reordering process of said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images by evaluating the image data to select at least one spatial reference (6, Vref) associated with said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images; estimating a distance to the at least one spatial reference for each of the intravascular ultrasound images of said temporal sequence; and reordering said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images into a spatial sequence of intravascular ultrasound images based on the estimated dist

Abstract: The invention provides a method of patient monitoring following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a stent graft. It particularly applies to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A first 3D volume scan of the stent in situ is provided and a second, subsequent 3D volume scan of the stent is also provided. One or more fiducial markers are generated in a first image derived from the first scan and in a second image derived from the second scan. The fiducial markers identify recognizable features of the stent, such as the bifurcation point in the stent graft. A rigid 3D transform mapping based on the one or more fiducial markers is extracted and then a registration is applied to the first and second scans based on the 3D rigid transform between the first and second images. A size value is derived at the same location in the aneurysm from the first and second scans. The same location is determined with reference to the registered first and second images of the stent.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (10) is disclosed that comprises a processor arrangement (16) adapted to receive image data corresponding to a region of interest (1) of a patients cardiovascular system, said image data comprising a temporal sequence (15) of intravascular ultrasound images acquired (150) at different phases of at least one cardiac cycle of said patient, said intravascular ultrasound images imaging overlapping volumes of the patients cardiovascular system; implement a spatial reordering process of said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images by evaluating the image data to select at least one spatial reference (6, Vref) associated with said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images; estimating a distance to the at least one spatial reference for each of the intravascular ultrasound images of said temporal sequence; and reordering said temporal sequence of intravascular ultrasound images into a spatial sequence of intravascular ultrasound images based on the estimated dista

Abstract: The invention provides a method of patient monitoring following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a stent graft. It particularly applies to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A first 3D volume scan of the stent in situ is provided and a second, subsequent 3D volume scan of the stent is also provided. One or more fiducial markers are generated in a first image derived from the first scan and in a second image derived from the second scan. The fiducial markers identify recognizable features of the stent, such as the bifurcation point in the stent graft. A rigid 3D transform mapping based on the one or more fiducial markers is extracted and then a registration is applied to the first and second scans based on the 3D rigid transform between the first and second images. A size value is derived at the same location in the aneurysm from the first and second scans. The same location is determined with reference to the registered first and second images of the stent.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: A system and method for image registration includes tracking (508) a scanner probe in a position along a skin surface of a patient. Image planes corresponding to the position are acquired (510). A three-dimensional volume of a region of interest is reconstructed (512) from the image planes. A search of an image volume is initialized (514) to determine candidate images to register the image volume with the three-dimensional volume by employing pose information of the scanner probe during image plane acquisition, and physical constraints of a pose of the scanner probe. The image volume is registered (522) with the three-dimensional volume.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (10) for inspecting a volume of a subject (12) is disclosed. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises an ultrasound probe (14) including a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements for acquiring three-dimensional ultrasound data in a field of view (32), and for providing three-dimensional and two-dimensional ultrasound image data in the field of view. An image processing unit (18) is coupled to the ultrasound probe for receiving the two-dimensional ultrasound image data in an image plane (42, 44) and for determining an anatomical feature (30) in the two-dimensional ultrasound image data. An evaluation unit (20) is provided for evaluating the two-dimensional ultrasound image data and for determining a quality parameter based on a positional relation of the anatomical feature with respect to the image plane, and an alignment unit (28) is provided for aligning or indicating an alignment of the image plane bases on the positional relation and the quality parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system acquires 3D data sets of the fetal heart by use of a gating signal synthesized from detected motion of the fetal heart. A sequence of temporally different echo signals are acquired from a location in the anatomy where motion representative of the heart cycle is to be estimated, such as a sample volume in the fetal carotid artery or an M line through the fetal myocardium. A heart cycle signal is synthesized from the detected motion and used to gate the acquisition of fetal heart image data at one or more desired phases of the fetal heart cycle. In an illustrated embodiment 3D data sets are acquired from multiple subvolumes, each over the full fetal heart cycle, then combined to produce a live 3D loop of the beating fetal heart.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: A system and method for image registration includes tracking (508) a scanner probe in a position along a skin surface of a patient. Image planes corresponding to the position are acquired (510). A three-dimensional volume of a region of interest is reconstructed (512) from the image planes. A search of an image volume is initialized (514) to determine candidate images to register the image volume with the three-dimensional volume by employing pose information of the scanner probe during image plane acquisition, and physical constraints of a pose of the scanner probe. The image volume is registered (522) with the three-dimensional volume.

Abstract: Image processing system for displaying information relating to the amplitude of displacements of wall regions of a deformable 3-D object under study, comprising acquisition means to acquire an image sequence of the simplified 3D object wall; and processing means to process the image data for defining region(s) of interest on the simplified 3D object wall, and computing the maximal amplitudes of displacement of said region(s) of interest over a period of time; constructing two 2D simplified representations (bull's eye representations) of the 3D simplified object wall with projection of the region(s) of interest in respective segments of said 2D simplified representations, respectively denoted by 2D simplified amplitude and phase representations; and further comprising display means to display color coded indications of the maximal amplitudes of displacements of the region(s) of interest over a period of time in the respective segments of the 2D simplified amplitude representation; and the display of color code

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which records expert review of a 3D image data set, including image plane and view manipulation, annotation, and measurements, for the purpose of generating automated review protocols for 3D ultrasound image acquisitions. The ability to provide a standardized 3D review protocol has benefits such as guiding reviewers of all experience levels through the required steps to extract key images and measurements from 3D image data, enabling automation to improve 3D review workflow and reduce review time, monitoring growth or therapy, and standardizing review presentations for easy comparison with prior examination results.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system acquires 3D data sets of the fetal heart by use of a gating signal synthesized from detected motion of the fetal heart. A sequence of temporally different echo signals are acquired from a location in the anatomy where motion representative of the heart cycle is to be estimated, such as a sample volume in the fetal carotid artery or an M line through the fetal myocardium. A heart cycle signal is synthesized from the detected motion and used to gate the acquisition of fetal heart image data at one or more desired phases of the fetal heart cycle. In an illustrated embodiment 3D data sets are acquired from multiple subvolumes, each over the full fetal heart cycle, then combined to produce a live 3D loop of the beating fetal heart.

Abstract: Generating at least one view (420) of a portion of a computed tomography image includes selecting (310) a seed point (410) for a structure of interest within the image, pre-processing (320) a region of interest surrounding the seed point, estimating (325) at least one inertia axis for the region of interest, and generating (345) the at least one view from one or more of three planes that include the seed point and are orthogonal to each axis of inertia.

Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system (UIS), an ultrasound scanning assembly (USC) provides volume data (VD) resulting from a three-dimensional scan of a body (BDY). A feature extractor (FEX) searches for a best match between the volume data (VD) and a geometrical model (GM) of an anatomical entity. The geometrical model (GM) comprises respective segments representing respective anatomic features. Accordingly, the feature extractor (FEX) provides an anatomy-related description (ARD) of the volume data (VD), which identifies respective geometrical locations of respective anatomic features in the volume data (VD). In a preferred embodiment, a slice generator (SLG) generates slices (SX) from the volume data (VD) based on the anatomy-related description (ARD) of the volume data (VD).

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system (10) is described which records expert, review of a 3D image data set, including image plane and view manipulation (36), annotation, and measurements, for the purpose of generating automated review protocols for 3D ultrasound image acquisitions. The ability to provide a standardised 3D review protocol has benefits such as guiding reviewers of all experience levels through the required steps to extract, key images and measurements from 3D image data, enabling automation to improve 3D review workflow and reduce review time, monitoring growth or therapy, and standardizing review presentations for easy comparison with prior examination results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical imaging system. First, a sequence of images of a part of a body (BO) is acquired. Second, a feature of interest is detected automatically. Third, at least one parameter characteristic of said feature of interest for each image acquired is computed. Finally, the parameter having the 5 greatest value among the computed parameters is displayed automatically.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing a sequence of images of a distortable 3-D Object, each image being registered at a corresponding image instant within the interval of time of the sequence having steps to construct and display an image of said 3-D Object represented with regions, each region showing a quantified indication relating to its maximal contraction or relaxation within said interval of time. Each region of the constructed and displayed image is attributed a respective color of a color coded scale that is function of the calculated quantified indication relating to the maximum of contraction or relaxation of said region. The quantified indications may be the instant when a face or region has had its maximum of contraction or relaxation; or the phase value corresponding to said maximum; or the delay to attain said maximum.