Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus (2), a system (1) and a method (100) for characterization of vessels and for vessel modeling. The cross sectional area (A1) of the vessel is derived from pressure measurements (p1, p2) obtained by an instrument (3) from within the vessel. When multiple cross sectional areas (A1, A2) are derived for multiple reference positions (r1, r2) based on pressure measurements (p1, p2, p3) along the vessel, a representation (20, 30) of the vessel can be rendered, without requiring any imaging modality. Furthermore, the effect of the pulsatile blood flow on the elasticity of the vessel walls can be visualized, supporting assessment of a stenosis or an aneurysm formation along the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system (10) for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, an imaging method for imaging an elongated region of interest of an object, a computer program element for controlling such system for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The imaging system (10) comprises an acquisition unit (11) and a processing unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) is a C-arm acquisition unit and configured to acquire first image data of the object to be imaged with a first imaging parameter. The acquisition unit (11) is further configured to acquire second, different image data of an object to be imaged with a second imaging parameter. The second geometric imaging parameter is defined based on object specific data for the volume data to be aligned with the elongated region of interest of the object to be imaged. The processing unit (13) is configured to combine the first and second image data into volume data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for fractional flow reserve determination, the device (1) comprising: a model source (10) configured to provide a first three-dimensional model (3DM1) of a portion of an imaged vascular vessel tree (VVT) surrounding a stenosed vessel segment (SVS) and configured to provide a second three-dimensional model (3DM2) of a pressure wire insertable into the vascular vessel tree (VVT); and a processor (20) configured to calculate a first blood flow (Q1) through the stenosed vessel segment (SVS) with the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (VVT) based on the first and the second three-dimensional model and to calculate a second blood flow (Q2) through the stenosed vessel segment (SVS) without the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (VVT) based on the first three-dimensional model (3DM1) and to determine a first fractional flow reserve value (FFR1) to be measured with the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a functional index for stenosis assessment of a vessel is provided. The apparatus comprises an input interface (40) and a processing unit (50). The input interface is configured to obtain image data (30) representing a two-dimensional representation of a vessel (6). The processing unit (50) is configured to determine a course of the vessel (6) and a width (w1, w2) of the vessel along its course in the image data and is further configured to determine the functional index for stenosis assessment of the vessel based on the width of the vessel in the image data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (100) for electrostatically discharging a primary packaging container (102) made of plastics are disclosed. The method comprises moving a primary packaging container (102) to be electrostatically discharged so as to pass at least one electrode (104, 106, 108), applying an alternating voltage to the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to generate ionized air in a vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108), and rotating the primary packaging container (102) in the vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to be contacted by the ionized air.

Abstract: Vasculature modeling systems and methods are disclosed that generate an enhanced 3D model based on a combination of two dimensional, 2D, imaging data of a region of interest and 3D imaging data of the region of interest. A hemodynamic simulation is performed using the enhanced 3D model to derive at least one hemodynamic parameter based on the hemodynamic simulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to intravascular flow determination. In order to provide a facilitated way to determine flow values with improved accuracy, an intravascular flow determination device (50) is provided that comprises an input unit (54), a data processing unit (52), and an output unit (56). The input unit is configured to provide a measured local flow velocity value of a fluid inside a vessel of an object, which local flow velocity value is measured at a local position of interest, and to provide local spatial data of the vessel and the local position of interest; wherein the local flow velocity value, and the local spatial data relate to the same in position in time; and to provide a model flow-profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood flow determination apparatus (5) comprising a speckle density determination unit (7) for determining a speckle density value being indicative of a level of a speckle density in an ultrasound image of an inner lumen of a blood vessel, which has been generated at an imaging location being behind an introduction location at which a fluid has been introduced into the blood vessel (20) with a known volumetric fluid flow rate. A blood flow rate determination unit (8) determines a blood flow value being indicative of a volumetric blood flow rate based on the determined speckle density value and the volumetric fluid flow rate. This allows determining the intravascular blood flow with an improved accuracy.

Abstract: Minimally-invasive spinal inventions are often performed using fluoroscopic imaging methods, which can give a real-time impression of the location of a surgical instrument, at the expense of a small field of view. When operating on a spinal column, a small field of view can be a problem, because a medical professional is left with no reference vertebra in the fluoroscopy image, from which to identify a vertebra, which is the subject of the intervention. Identifying contiguous vertebrae is difficult because such contiguous vertebrae are similar in shape. However, characteristic features, which differentiate one vertebra from other vertebra, and which are visible in the fluoroscopic view, may be used to provide a reference.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which improves the evaluation of a patient's vasculature by applying a correction to invasively acquired intravascular measurement data of a vessel of interest on the basis of archived patient data of said patient from a patient database. By correcting the measurement data, co-morbidities of the patient which may influence the intravascular measurement results are accounted for.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a vasculature of a patient and a corresponding method are provided in which a plurality of simulated hemodynamic parameter values obtained from (non-invasively) acquired diagnostic images are compared to at least one intravascular hemodynamic parameter value acquired during an invasive measurement in a vessel of interest in the vasculature. The comparison allows to uniquely determine the vessel of interest. Based on this information, the assessment of the disease and the potential treatment planning may be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for modeling coronary physiology and a corresponding method are provided in which at least one diagnostic image and intravascular imaging data are co-registered and used in combination to retrieve more accurate, patient-specific vessel parameters to be used in the modeling of the vessel geometry and the fluid dynamics of the blood flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus configured to display an aortic valve image and an indicator when the aortic valve is in its open-state and/or when the valve is in its closed-state. The indicator is supposed to be in an overlay to the image of the aortic valve, such that a physician can see on the same display image the information needed to advance a guide wire or catheter through the aortic valve of a heart. This may prevent damaging ensures not to damage the aortic valve. The physician receives the relevant information, when the aortic valve is in its open-state and thus being in a state to be passed by the catheter. The information, whether the aortic valve is in its open-state or in its closed-state, corresponds to the systolic phase and the distal phase of the heart, respectively. The information, when the heart is in its systolic phase and when it is in the diastolic phase may be extracted from an ECG measurement.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus (2), a system (1) and a method (100) for characterization of vessels and for vessel modeling. The cross sectional area (A1) of the vessel is derived from pressure measurements (p1, p2) obtained by an instrument (3) from within the vessel. When multiple cross sectional areas (A1, A2) are derived for multiple reference positions (r1, r2) based on pressure measurements (p1, p2, p3) along the vessel, a representation (20, 30) of the vessel can be rendered, without requiring any imaging modality. Furthermore, the effect of the pulsatile blood flow on the elasticity of the vessel walls can be visualized, supporting assessment of a stenosis or an aneurysm formation along the vessel.

Abstract: Stenosis information is obtained by obtaining photographic image data (302) from a displayed image of a blood vessel (103, 203) containing the stenosis. Contours of the blood vessel and the stenosis are detected and dimensions are estimated from the photographic image data. A blood vessel model is reconstructed and fractional flow reserve data is calculated using the blood vessel model.

Abstract: A customizable modular lamp is made up of an outer lens customized by known per se techniques, which covers a housing provided with at least one recess in which is mounted a customizable module consisting of a retro-reflective lens under which there is an inner customized lens personalized by known per se techniques, under which there is a printed circuit board with LEDs that is held in a holder fastened to a cover provided with at least one element for ventilation. During the daylight, personalization is visible on the outer customized lens. In the darkness and—depending on the recipient's request—when activating the lights for changing direction, position or braking, customization becomes evident by lighting inside the lamp, on the surface of the inner customized lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for fractional flow reserve determination, the device (1) comprising: a model source (10) configured to provide a first three-dimensional model (3DM1) of a portion of an imaged vascular vessel tree (VVT) surrounding a stenosed vessel segment (SVS) and configured to provide a second three-dimensional model (3DM2) of a pressure wire insertable into the vascular vessel tree (VVT); and a processor (20) configured to calculate a first blood flow (Q1) through the stenosed vessel segment (SVS) with the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (VVT) based on the first and the second three-dimensional model and to calculate a second blood flow (Q2) through the stenosed vessel segment (SVS) without the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (VVT) based on the first three-dimensional model (3DM1) and to determine a first fractional flow reserve value (FFR1) to be measured with the pressure wire (PW) inserted into the vascular vessel tree (

Abstract: The invention relates to an assistance device, an assistance system and an assistance method for assisting a practitioner in an interventional hemodynamic (e.g fractional flow reserve (FFR)) measurement on a subject. The FFR pressure measurements are combined with an, for example, angiography-based assessment of the coronary vessel geometry. An advanced computational fluid dynamics model may be employed to add flow and myocardial resistance data based on the interventional pressure values and on a vascular model generated prior to the intervention. In case that these data are available prior to the intervention, the location of most optimal positions for pressure measurements can be pre-calculated and by overlay of the vessel tree, for example, on the X-ray projection, advice can be given for the interventional cardiologist during the intervention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and method for transarterial chemoembolization using differently sized drug-eluting microsphere beads filled with drugs and determining a delivered drug concentration using an imaging system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (100) for electrostatically discharging a primary packaging container (102) made of plastics are disclosed. The method comprises moving a primary packaging container (102) to be electrostatically discharged so as to pass at least one electrode (104, 106, 108), applying an alternating voltage to the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to generate ionized air in a vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108), and rotating the primary packaging container (102) in the vicinity of the electrode (104, 106, 108) so as to be contacted by the ionized air.