Abstract: An adaptive X-ray anti-scatter device for placement in a source-detector axis of an X-ray imager includes an anti-scatter filter having a source orientable surface and a detector orientable surface. The anti-scatter filter comprises a plurality of realignable slats that absorb incident X-rays and are separated by a plurality of interstitial portions. The device also includes a first actively deformable member comprising a first set of one or more actively deformable actuators disposed across a first region of the first actively deformable member. At least a portion of the first set is partially or fully recessed within the interstitial portions. At least one actuator of the first set is in contact with a corresponding realignable slat of the plurality of realignable slats and is configured to change the alignment of the corresponding realignable slat in relation to the source-detector axis.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: An adaptive X-ray anti-scatter device (20) for placement in the source-detector axis (22) of an X-ray imager (8) comprising:—an anti-scatter filter having a source orientable surface and a detector orientable surface, wherein the anti-scatter filter comprises a plurality of realignable slats (24) for absorbing incident X-rays, wherein the slats are separated by a plurality of interstitial portions (26); and—a first actively deformable member (26a) comprising a first set of one or more actively deformable actuators (28a, 28b) disposed across a first region of the first actively deformable member (26a), wherein one or more actively deformable actuators of the first set of one or more actively deformable actuators are configured to change the alignment of a corresponding of slat of the anti-scatter filter in relation to the source-detector axis, wherein at least a portion of each actuator of the first set of one or more actively deformable actuators is partially or fully recessed within the interstitial portions

Abstract: The present invention relates to guidance during examinations or interventional procedures. In order to facilitate information provision in a medical environment such as an operation room or cathlab, an augmented reality display device (10) for medical equipment is provided that comprises a data input unit (12), a processing unit (20) and a display unit (22). The data input unit is configured to receive displayed operation parameters (14) of at least one medical appliance. The data input unit is also configured to receive relative location information (16) of at least one medical appliance in relation to the display unit and a viewing direction information (18) of the user. The processing unit is configured to detect if at least one of the medical appliances is in the user's field of view based on the relative location information and the viewing direction information. The processing unit is further configured to generate display data based on the operation parameters of the detected medical appliance.

Abstract: An apparatus for medical imaging of a patient, including an object of interest, is provided. The apparatus comprises a patient support unit, a processor, and a display. The patient support unit is configured to receive a patient. The processor is configured to receive scout images of the patient acquired in respective positions of the apparatus. Each respective position is represented by a position parameter. The processor is further configured to select at least one iso-centering image from the scout images by geometrical calculation using the position parameter of each scout image and a position parameter representing a present position of the apparatus. The processor is further configured to adapt the appearance of the at least one iso-centering image according to the present position of the apparatus. The display is configured to present the at least one adapted iso-centering image.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of correctly positioning a catheter and reducing radiation doses. It relates to an X-ray imaging system (1) for a robotic catheter, comprising said catheter (3), and a processing unit (5) for receiving X-ray images of a patient environment (15). By being adapted to receive one or more auxiliary information items and using said information for determining the catheter position, the processing unit does not entirely have to rely on a large number of scanned image data, thus helping to reduce radiation while correctly delivering the catheter position as a function of as few as a single image, preferably 2D, and said one auxiliary information items. Further, said processing unit allows for at least one of rendering an image and provide said image to a visualization device (21), and providing feedback, e.g. steering commands, to said robotic catheter.

Abstract: An image processing system, comprising an input port (IN) for receiving a projection image of an object. The image is acquired by a rotational image apparatus (IM) at a position on an imaging trajectory in an adjustable rotation plane (?) around an imaging region. An image artifact extent predictor (AP) of the system is configured to predict for said image a projection area of a reconstruction artifact. A visualizer (VIZ) is configured to visualize, on a display unit (MT), said image with a visual indication of the projection area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to iso-centering an object of interest prior to computer tomography (CT) scanning for examination of a patient in a C-arm CT examination apparatus. In order to provide facilitated positioning and to overcome or at least minimize these drawbacks, a C-arm CT examination apparatus (10) for CT scanning for examination of a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises a patient support unit, an acquisition unit, a data processing and control unit, and a display unit. The patient support unit is configured to bed a patient, free of motion, on the patient support. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire scout images of the patient including the object of interest in a respective position of the apparatus having position parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tracking an interventional device. In order to provide a facilitated and simplified real-time tracking of an interventional device, a medical imaging system (10) for tracking an interventional device is provided, that comprises an interface unit (12), and a processing unit (14). The interface unit is configured to provide first image data (18) of a first part of an interventional device, which first part is arranged outside an object. The first image data comprises 3D image data. The interface unit is configured to provide second image data (20) of a second part of the interventional device, which second part is a continuation of the first part, and which second part is arranged inside the object. The second image data comprises 2D image data.

Abstract: An image processing system, comprising an input port (IN) for receiving a projection image of an object. The image is acquired by a rotational image apparatus (IM) at a position on an imaging trajectory in an adjustable rotation plane (?) around an imaging region. An image artifact extent predictor (AP) of the system is configured to predict for said image a projection area of a reconstruction artifact. A visualizer (VIZ) is configured to visualize, on a display unit (MT), said image with a visual indication of the projection area.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: An X-ray image processing device for providing segmentation information with reduced X-ray dose that includes an interface unit, and a data processing unit. The interface unit is configured to provide a sequence of time series angiographic 2D images of a vascular structure obtained after a contrast agent injection. The data processing unit is configured to determine an arrival time index of a predetermined characteristic related to the contrast agent injection for each of a plurality of determined pixels along the time series, and to compute a connectivity index for each of the plurality of the determined pixels based on the arrival time index. The data processing unit is configured to generate and provide segmentation data of the vascular structure from the plurality of the determined pixels, wherein the segmentation data is based on the connectivity index of the pixels.

Abstract: In a medical viewing system having an X-ray image acquisition device a data processing unit is adapted for generating two different views on a three-dimensional image set, wherein a first view is corresponding to the viewing direction of the X-ray image acquisition device and a second view has a rotational offset to the first viewing direction. The first view may include live X-ray images, e.g. for monitoring a stent placement. The second view 10 supports a clinician to unambiguously judge whether ostia connection points may be blocked that are not clearly visible in anterior-posterior images.

Abstract: An imaging system for tracking brain deformation, a method for tracking brain deformation, a method of operating a device for tracking brain deformation are disclosed. A first 3D representation (112) of a cerebrovascular vessel structure of a region of interest of an object is provided (110), and (114) a second 3D representation (116) of the cerebrovascular vessel structure are used to determine brain deformation. At least a part of the first 3D representation is elastically three-dimensionally registered (118) with at least a part of the second 3D representation. A deformation field (122) of the cerebrovascular vessel structure is determined (120) based on the elastic registration. The determined vessel deformation is applied (124) to a brain structure representation to determine a deformation (126) of the cerebral structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (130) and a method for adjusting, in perfusion imaging system, a periodic contrast agent injection rate signal (IS) for an injector (135) as function of an image sampling rate determined by the rotational speed of an X-ray source (107)-detector (109) assembly of an X-ray imager (100). Frequency, periodicity and pulse width of the contrast agent injection rate signal (IS) is adjusted to mitigate temporal signal aliasing in a sample of a time attenuation contrast (TAC) signal.

Abstract: 2D images are registered with 3D volume data. In order to provide 2D/3D registration with a facilitated workflow 3D volume data (112) of an object, having a frame of reference is received. A transformation plane (116) is defined in relation to the 3D volume data. A 2D image of the object with an image plane is received. The transformation plane is projected on the image plane. The frame of reference is aligned with the 2D image. At least one alignment interaction value (128) is projected (130) on the transformation plane to determine (134) at least one transformed interaction value (132). The frame of reference is translated with the at least one transformed interaction value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vessel segmentation. In order to provide an improved way of providing segmentation information with reduced X-ray dose, an X-ray image processing device (10) is provided that comprises an interface unit (12), and a data processing unit (14). The interface unit is configured to provide a sequence of time series angiographic 2D images of a vascular structure obtained after a contrast agent injection. The data processing unit is configured to determine an arrival time index of a predetermined characteristic related to the contrast agent injection for each of a plurality of determined pixels along the time series, and to compute a connectivity index for each of the plurality of the determined pixels based on the arrival time index. The data processing unit is configured to generate segmentation data of the vascular structure from the plurality of the determined pixels, wherein the segmentation data is based on the connectivity index of the pixels.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of correctly positioning a catheter and reducing radiation doses. It relates to an X-ray imaging system (1) for a robotic catheter, comprising said catheter (3), and a processing unit (5) for receiving X-ray images of a patient environment (15). By being adapted to receive one or more auxiliary information items and using said information for determining the catheter position, the processing unit does not entirely have to rely on a large number of scanned image data, thus helping to reduce radiation while correctly delivering the catheter position as a function of as few as a single image, preferably 2D, and said one auxiliary information items. Further, said processing unit allows for at least one of rendering an image and provide said image to a visualization device (21), and providing feedback, e.g. steering commands, to said robotic catheter.