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 relates to a sample container, comprising a housing which forms a sample space for receiving a sample and has at least one circular opening which extends in a channel-shaped manner into the sample space, and further comprising a spherical closing element, wherein the diameter of the closing element only exceeds the diameter of the opening channel in at least one (closing) portion to such an extent that the closing element can be fixed in a force-locked manner by its largest circumference in the closing portion, wherein the spherical closing element is in contact with the housing, and the opening channel between the closing portion and the inner opening forms a protrusion which reduces the opening cross section of the opening channel with respect to the opening cross section in the closing portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling a system includes the steps of launching a task having associated therewith a worst case execution time, and monitoring the end of the task after the end of a time slot allocated to the execution of the task, wherein the time slot is shorter than the worst case execution time. The task may be launched periodically according to a fixed period of time, and when the execution of the task ends before the allocated time slot, the method may further include outputting a value calculated based on a current input value but when the execution of the task does not end before the allocated time slot, the method may further include outputting a value calculated based on a previous input value and stopping the task and launching the task again at the next period of time with a next input value.

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: 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 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: An interactive holographic display system includes a holographic generation module configured to display a holographically rendered anatomical image. A localization system is configured to define a monitored space on or around the holographically rendered anatomical image. One or more monitored objects have their position and orientation monitored by the localization system such that coincidence of spatial points between the monitored space and the one or more monitored objects triggers a response in the holographically rendered anatomical image.

Abstract: A patient table usable in an X-ray image acquisition arrangement including a table plate connected to a table base via at least one movable joint. The table plate is movable using at least one actuator. To set or re-establish an accurate position/orientation of the movable table plate, the patient table includes a positioning system including a first sensor arrangement for providing position data of the at least one movable joint and a second sensor arrangement for providing position data of the table plate. The accurate position data provided by the second sensor arrangement may be used in a method for improved three-dimensional roadmapping.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for rendering and displaying a curved planar reformat (CPR) view (7?) of a blood vessel's 3D tubular structure (1), wherein the viewing direction of the curved planar reformat view (7?) is coupled to the viewing angle on a segmented or raw representation of the 3D tubular structure's rendered voxel volume to be visualized or, alternatively, to the C-arm geometry of a 3D rotational angiography device's C-arm system (6). The proposed method thus enables measurements on the X-ray image which do not suffer from spatial foreshortening and do not need to be calibrated. Thereby, said coupling can be performed bidirectional. According to a first aspect of the proposed method, this means that the viewing direction of the aforementioned curved planar reformat view (7?) follows the viewing angle on a segmented or raw representation of the 3D tubular structure's rendered voxel volume to be visualized, or vice versa.

Abstract: A system and method of creating affinity groups of portable communication device users, and distributing targeted content to said users is disclosed. The user affinity groups may be formed by comparing user profiles with each other or with a predefined affinity group profile definition.

Abstract: In a method for positioning an X-ray image acquisition device a straight reference plane (30) intersecting a three-dimensional representation of the object, a center point (34) within the intersection of the object, a normal vector (38) to the reference plane and at least one tangential vector (40) within the reference plane are created. Thereafter, the reference plane, the object's frame of reference and the X-ray image acquisition's frame of reference are registered. At least one viewing direction derived from the normal vector (38) and/or at least one tangential vector (40) is defined, wherein the X-ray image acquisition device is adjusted to the geometrical parameters of the X-ray image acquisition device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing a sample container with a spherical closing element, wherein the device has a storage container for a plurality of spherical closing elements, ejecting means for ejecting one of the closing elements through a discharge opening in a housing of the device, and means for limiting the forces exerted by the ejecting means on the closing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample container, comprising a housing which forms a sample space for receiving a sample and has at least one circular opening which extends in a channel-shaped manner into the sample space, and further comprising a spherical closing element, wherein the diameter of the closing element only exceeds the diameter of the opening channel in at least one (closing) portion to such an extent that the closing element can be fixed in a force-locked manner by its largest circumference in the closing portion, wherein the spherical closing element is in contact with the housing, and the opening channel between the closing portion and the inner opening forms a protrusion which reduces the opening cross section of the opening channel with respect to the opening cross section in the closing portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the determination of brain deformation. The invention relates in particular to a device for tracking brain deformation, an imaging system for tracking brain deformation, a method for tracking brain deformation, a method of operating a device for tracking brain deformation, as well as to a computer program element and a computer readable medium. For providing enhanced information about the brain deformation, 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. Then, 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to interactive registration of 2D images with 3D volume data, and in particular relates to the registration of two 2D images with 3D volume data.

Abstract: A system and method of creating affinity groups of portable communication device users, and distributing targeted content to said users is disclosed. The user affinity groups may be formed by comparing user profiles with each other or with a predefined affinity group profile definition.

Abstract: A method of controlling a system comprising the following steps: launching a task, said task being associated with a worst case execution time; and monitoring the end of the task after a time slot allocated to the execution of the task; wherein said time slot is shorter than said worst case execution time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for providing a basis for registering a three-dimensional model of an anatomical region with two-dimensional projection images, by deriving a three-dimensional model of an anatomical region at a phase of a periodic signal; deriving two-dimensional projection images of a region which overlaps with the anatomical region re-constructed as the three-dimensional model; pre-5 selecting a subset of projection images out of the derived two-dimensional projection images, which are closest to the phase; and selecting a reference image for the registration from the subset of pre-selected projection images by choosing the projection image with the most contrast.

Abstract: A system and method are described to electronically exchange seat tickets before or during an event in a way that eliminates the need to print or possess a paper ticket for a new seat while ensuring authenticity of the new electronic seat ticket. The system and method overcome current logistical constraints of upgrading a ticket during an event, and offers event attendees an option for exchanging their previously purchased ticket before or during an event.

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.