Abstract: The invention is directed to a system (100) for image processing, which is capable of improving an usability of an imaging device during an intervention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system (100) for image processing, which is capable of improving an usability of an imaging device during an intervention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image contrast enhancement. In order to provide improved and stable contrast enhancement for each acquired image, a device (10) for image contrast enhancement of an X-ray image of a vascular structure is provided. The device (10) comprises an input unit (12) and a processing unit (14). The input unit is configured to provide an acquired X-ray image of a vascular structure with a contrast injection. The contrast injection is performed with a current contrast injection setting having at least one contrast injection parameter. The input unit is further configured to provide a generic vascular structure. The input unit is also configured to provide the current contrast injection setting. The processing unit is configured to determine an assessed contrast parameter for the generic vascular structure based on the current contrast injection setting.

Abstract: Apparatuses (IP) and related methods to visualize previously suppressed image structures in a radiograph (RD). A graphical indicator (505, 510, 515) is superimposed on the radiograph (RD) to indicate the suppressed image structure (412). The apparatuses allow toggling in our out the graphical indicator (505, 510, 515) or to toggle between different graphical renderings thereof.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for image acquisition and a related method. The apparatus comprises a field-of-view corrector (CS) configured to receive a scout image (SI) acquired by the imager with a tentative collimator setting in a pre-shot imaging phase where said imager operates with a low dosage radiation cone causing the detector to register the scout image. The low dosage cone has, in the detector's image plane, a first cross section smaller than the total area of the detector surface. The field-of-view corrector (CS) uses said scout image to establish field-of-view correction information for a subsequent imaging phase where the imager is to operate with a high dosage radiation cone, the high dosage higher than the low dosage.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging guiding system for positioning a region of interest of a patient for X-ray image acquisition includes an X-ray detector arrangement, and graphical positioning information. The graphical positioning information includes a graphical target anatomy representation. The graphical target positioning information is provided in spatial relation with the X-ray detector arrangement. The graphical target anatomy representation indicates a target position of a respective anatomy of the patient for a determined X-ray image acquisition. Further, the graphical positioning information is adaptable in accordance with the determined X-ray image acquisition.

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 invention concerns a medical imaging system comprising means (4) of segmenting a region of interest around an object of interest within a volume of 3D data (3DV). The system according to the invention comprises means (5) of calculating a sub-regions map (CSR) within the segmented region (RS) and correction means (6) intended to exclude sub-regions of the segmented region by means of said sub-regions map (CSR). The correction can be made automatically or manually by means of control means (7) enabling a user to select the sub-regions to be excluded. Display means (3) make it possible to display a 2D representation (2DR) of the volume of 3D data (3DV) and the segmented region (RS, RS?) at various stages of the processing.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for image acquisition and a related method. The apparatus comprises a field-of-view corrector (CS) configured to receive a scout image (SI) acquired by the imager with a tentative collimator setting in a pre-shot imaging phase where said imager operates with a low dosage radiation cone causing the detector to register the scout image. The low dosage cone has, in the detector's image plane, a first cross section smaller than the total area of the detector surface. The field-of-view corrector (CS) uses said scout image to establish field-of-view correction information for a subsequent imaging phase where the imager is to operate with a high dosage radiation cone, the high dosage higher than the low dosage.

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 guiding in positioning a region of interest of a patient for X-ray image acquisition. In order to improve and facilitate positioning of a patient for X-ray image acquisitions, an X-ray imaging guiding system (10) for positioning a patient for X-ray image acquisitions is provided, comprising an X-ray detector arrangement (12), and adaptable graphical positioning information (14). The graphical positioning information comprises at least a graphical target anatomy representation (16). The graphical target positioning information is provided in spatial relation with the X-ray detector arrangement. The graphical target anatomy representation indicates a target position (18) of a respective anatomy of the patient for a determined X-ray image acquisition. Further, the graphical positioning information is adaptable in accordance with the determined X-ray image acquisition.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus using a method for combining CMB images of the same object including a step of seeking representative contours CNT of an interface on the images to be combined IM,[I], IM[J] is disclosed. The step is intended to define interest areas IA[I], IA[J] in the vicinity of the representative contours. The method also includes analyzing the interest areas IA[I], IA[J] being intended to allocate weights W[I], W[J] to the points on the interest areas IA[I], IA[J] and to the points corresponding to the interest areas IA[I], IA[J] on the various images. The method also includes constructing a combination image IMC, a point on the combination image IMC corresponding to a point on at least one interest area IA being obtained from a weighting of the corresponding points on the images to be combined IM[I], IM[J] according to the weights W[I], W[J] allocated in the analysis step ANA.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or absence of malignant features in medical images, wherein a plurality of base comparison or training images of various types of lesions taken of actual patient is examined by one or more image reading experts to create a first database array. Low-level features of each of the lesions in the same plurality of base comparisons or training images are determined using one or more image processing algorithms to obtain a second database array set. The first and second database array set are combined to create a training database array set which is input to a learning system that discovers/learns a classifier that maps from a subset of the low-level features to the expert's evaluation in the first database array set. The classifier is used to determine the presence of a particular mid-level feature in an image of lesion in a patient based solely on the image.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or absence of malignant features in medical images, wherein a plurality of base comparison or training images of various types of lesions taken of actual patient is examined by one or more image reading experts to create a first database array. Low-level features of each of the lesions in the same plurality of base comparisons or training images arc determined using one or more image processing algorithms to obtain a second database array set. The first and second database array set are combined to create a training database array set which is input to a learning system that discovers/learns a classifier that maps from a subset of the low-level features to the expert's evaluation in the first database array set. The classifier is used to determine the presence of a particular mid-level feature in an image of lesion in a patient based solely on the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system for forming an echographic image of a medium, which system includes a set [REC] of transducer elements [EL] which are operative in a transmission mode and in a reception mode for ultrasound waves, construction means [REB] for constructing echographic signals on the basis of signals [S[1] . . . S[N]] received on the transducer elements [EL], display means [DIS] which are coupled to the construction means [REB] in order to display an image of the medium formed by means of the echographic signals. The construction means [REB] are such that in so-called exclusion zones, in which a coherent reflector is detected and which are determined by determination means [DET], the reception delays [D] are estimated in a manner [INT] other than that [CORR] used for the other zones. The calculation [CAL] of echographic signals is then carried out on the basis of the estimated delays [D[Z],Di[Z}}.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medical imaging system comprising means (4) of segmenting a region of interest around an object of interest within a volume of 3D data (3DV). The system according to the invention comprises means (5) of calculating a sub-regions map (CSR) within the segmented region (RS) and correction means (6) intended to exclude sub-regions of the segmented region by means of said sub-regions map (CSR). The correction can be made automatically or manually by means of control means (7) enabling a user to select the sub-regions to be excluded. Display means (3) make it possible to display a 2D representation (2DR) of the volume of 3D data (3DV) and the segmented region (RS, RS?) at various stages of the processing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medical imaging system comprising means (2) of acquiring at least one volume of 3D data (3DV), means (3) of detecting at least one object of interest in said volume of data, display means (4) able to supply a 2D representation (2DR) of said volume of data and signaling means (5) intended to signal a location of said object of interest by means of a signal (SIG) superimposed on said 2D representation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system for forming an echographic image of a medium, which system includes a set [REC] of transducer elements [EL] which are operative in a transmission mode and in a reception mode for ultra-sound waves, construction means [REB] for constructing echographic signals on the basis of signals [S[1] . . . S[N]] received on said transducer elements [EL], display means [DIS] which are coupled to said construction means [REB] in order to display an image of the medium formed by means of the echographic signals. Said construction means [REB] are such that in so-called exclusion zones, in which a coherent reflector is detected and which are determined by determination means [DET], the reception delays [D] are estimated in a manner [INT] other than that [CORR] used for the other zones. The calculation [CAL] of echographic s is then carried out on the basis of said estimated delays [D[Z],Di[Z]].

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus using a method for combining CMB images of the same object including a step of seeking representative contours CNT of an interface on the images to be combined IM[I], IM[J], said step being intended to define interest areas IA[I], IA[J] in the vicinity of said representative contours, a step ANA of analyzing the interest areas IA[I], IA[J], said analysis step ANA being intended to allocate weights W[I], W[J] to the points on said interest areas IA[I], A[J] and to the points corresponding to said interest areas IA[I], IA[J] on the various images, a step CC of constructing a combination image IMC, a point on the combination image IMC corresponding to a point on at least one interest area IA being obtained from a weighting of the corresponding points on the images to be combined IM[I], IM[J] according to the weights W[I], W[J] allocated in said analysis step ANA.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of analyzing a medium in order to label the zones of said medium as a function of the contents of said zones, which medium is exposed to ultrasound signals. The method includes a step for receiving echographic ultrasound signals by means of a set of elements, thus defining a set of received signals, a step for correlating at least one pair of signals which are received by two elements from among the set of elements and originate from at least one zone of said medium, a step for analyzing the maximum correlation value as a function of the distance between the two elements whereby the correlated signals are received, said analysis step enabling the detection of the presence of a coherent reflector in said zone of said medium, and a step for labeling the zone in conformity with the result of the analysis step.