Abstract: The invention concerns a device, a method, and an X-ray-system comprising such a device, for assisting in positioning at least one body part of a patient for an X-ray acquisition by an X-ray system, comprising a display for displaying the body part to a user, a first camera on a first side of the display, arranged and configured to monitor the body part, wherein the body part is monitored from a viewing perspective of the device, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to estimate an actual bone position of the body part based on one or more images captured by the first camera, determine a target bone position, calculate a difference between the estimated actual bone position and the target bone position. The device is configured to display by the display at least one of the target bone position, the estimated actual bone position, and the calculated difference between the estimated actual bone position and the target bone position overlaid over at least one image of the body part.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for providing guidance data (30, 41) for positioning a region of interest (20, 31, 41, 56) of a subject (54), an X-ray source (52), and an X-ray detector (21, 34, 53). The method comprises: obtaining, by a processor (11), current positioning data of at least one palpable bony landmark (23, 33) derived from a palpation; obtaining current positioning data of the X-ray source (52) and of the X-ray detector (21, 34, 53) (S20); determining guidance data (30, 41) for positioning the region of interest (20, 31, 41, 56), the X-ray source (52) and the X-ray detector (21, 34, 53) and providing, by the processor (11), the guidance data (30, 41) (S40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to patient positioning. In order to facilitate patient positioning, an apparatus is provided that comprises an input unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. The input unit is configured to receive an X-ray image of an anatomy of interest of a patient obtained from a first image acquisition and a target set of pose parameters describing a target position of the anatomy of interest for image acquisition. The processing unit is configured to detect the anatomy of interest in the X-ray image, to determine a set of pose parameters describing a current position of the detected anatomy of interest in the first image acquisition, to determine a difference between the determined set of pose parameters and the target set of pose parameters, and to construct a trajectory that defines a sequence of sets of pose parameters for bringing the anatomy of interest from the current position to the target position, if the difference is equal to or greater than a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prospective analysis of subject and/or implant positioning. Provided is a computer-implemented method for assisting positioning of a subject having an orthopedic implant in X-ray imaging. The method comprises applying one or more radiofrequency, RF, signals to an anatomy of interest of the subject where the orthopedic implant is located. The method further comprises detecting a response signal and/or signal change in response to the applied RF signal impacting the orthopedic implant and tissue being adjacent to and/or surrounding the implant, and determining, from the detected response signal and/or signal change, an implant positioning estimation relative to an X-ray imaging device. Further, the method comprises determining, from the implant positioning estimation, a feedback being indicative for positioning the X-ray imaging device and the subject to each other with respect to a target positioning, to be provided for assisting the positioning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assisting scapula positioning in chest X-ray imaging. Provided is a system and related method for assisting subject positioning in chest X-ray imaging, wherein the system comprises an optical detection device (110), a user interface (130), and a processor (120), connected to the optical detection device (110) and the user interface (130). Thereby, the processor (120) is configured to receive an optical image signal of a rear view of the subject(S), determine a current positioning of a scapula of the subject(S) based on the optical image signal, wherein the current positioning of the scapula is assessed as to whether and/or to which extent it would overlap or would not overlap a lung field of the subject to be imaged and determine a feedback for positioning the subject(S) and/or its scapula based on the determined current positioning of the scapula. The user interface (130) is configured to provide the feedback for positioning the subject.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing pose information for X-ray projection images, is provided. The method includes segmenting an X-ray projection image (120) to identify a plurality of projected sub-regions (1501 . . . m) of an anatomical structure, generating a pose metric for the X-ray projection image (120) based on a relative size of two or more of the projected sub-regions (1501 . . . m) in the segmented X-ray projection image (120), and outputting the pose metric to provide the pose information for the X-ray projection image (120).

Abstract: A device (10), system, method and computer-program product are disclosed for detecting movement of a subject in a diagnostic imaging examination. The device comprises a camera/3D surface scanning system (11) and an input (14) for receiving a trigger to indicate that a current spatial configuration of the subject is to be maintained for the examination. The device comprises a processor (12) and an output (13), in which the processor (12) is adapted for acquiring reference data of the subject using the camera/3D system when said trigger is received, and for acquiring further data of the subject using the camera/3D system after acquiring said reference data. The processor is adapted to compare the reference data, which represents a reference state of the subject at substantially the time that the trigger was received, to the further data, which represents a more recent state of the subject.

Abstract: A method is provided of obtaining body depth information for a patient who is lying on patient support. A patient support depth map of the upper surface of the patient support is obtained without the patient as well as an image and patient depth map of the patient on the patient support. Landmark body positions of the patient are extracted from the image so that points in a region of interest can be mapped to points of a template, using the identified landmark body positions. A body thickness is obtained for said points using the template, the depth value for the respective point and the patient support depth value for the respective point.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system (100) includes an X-ray source (110) and an X-ray detector (120) that are separated by an examination region (150) for performing an X-ray imaging operation on an object (160). A processor (140) is configured to identify (S120) one or more internal structures (180) within the object (160), based on a comparison of depth sensor data representing a three-dimensional surface (170) of the object (160), with an anatomical model comprising the one or more internal structures (180). The processor (140) is also configured to compute (S130), using the depth sensor data and the identified one or more internal structures (180), a surface projection (190) of the one or more internal structures, on the surface (170) of the object (160), from a perspective of the X-ray source (110); and to output (S140) an image representation of the surface projection (190) for displaying as an overlay on the surface (170) of the object (160).

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system (100) includes an X-ray source (110), an X-ray detector (120), a depth camera (130), and a processor (140). The processor (140) receives depth camera image data from the depth camera, projects the depth camera image data onto a radiation-receiving surface of the X-ray detector (120), from a perspective of the X-ray source (110), and generates an image representation (170) of the projected depth camera image data on the radiation-receiving surface of the X-ray detector (120), from a perspective of the depth camera (130).

Abstract: The invention relates to detecting anatomical abnormalities in medical images. In order to detect anatomical abnormalities, a computer-implemented method (100) and system are disclosed that detect 2D contours (130) of anatomical features in a medical image and compares these contours with predicted 2D contours (140) based on a 3D reference model in order to detect (150) anatomical abnormalities. This approach may improve accuracy of anatomical abnormality detection, thereby cutting time in a medical facility and potentially improving operator experiences and patient outcomes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for positioning a subject in medical imaging, comprising: receiving a first image (20) of a region of interest (14, 16) of the subject (S10); determining first positioning data based on the first image (20), wherein the first positioning data indicates an alignment of the region of interest (14, 16) relative to a first image acquisition unit used to acquire the first image (20) (S20); determining guidance data based on the first positioning data, wherein the guidance data comprises a guidance for an alignment of the region of interest (14, 16) relative to a second image acquisition unit used to acquire a second image (60) from a current alignment to a target alignment, wherein the target alignment is to correspond to that derived from the first positioning data (S30); providing the guidance data for acquiring the second image (60) (S40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for rendering soft tissue into an X-ray image. The method comprises the step of providing an articulated three-dimensional anatomical model of at least one joint of a body, wherein the model comprises a rigid structure and at least one type of soft tissue, and wherein the rigid structure comprises at least two bones connected by the joint. The method comprises further the steps of providing an X-ray image of a joint of a patient, wherein the joint of the patient corresponds to the joint of the anatomical model, and registering the anatomical model to the X-ray image. The method comprises further the steps of projecting the at least one type of soft tissue into the image domain of the X-ray image, and visualizing the at least one type of soft tissue in the X-ray image.

Abstract: An orientation of a patient's chest is determined by an apparatus and method. According to the invention, a camera image of a patient comprising image data of the patient's chest is received, wherein the camera image is acquired with an optical camera. Further, an X-ray radiograph of the patient's chest with an X-ray imaging axis extending from an X-ray source to an X-ray detector is received. Then, the camera image and the X-ray radiograph are provided to at least one processor. Further, information relating to a clavicle to spinous process distance of the patient is then determined using the camera image. Finally, an orientation of the patient's chest in the X-ray radiograph with respect to the X-ray imaging axis is determined using the camera image, the X-ray radiograph, and the information relating to the clavicle to spinal process distance of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to landmark and/or temporal event detection. It is proposed to utilize previously learned spatial statistical correlations between multiple landmarks in order to regularize convolutional neural networks (CNNs) either as a post-processing step or during training in order to utilize anatomical prior knowledge, reduce the false-positive prediction rate, and/or increase the accuracy and stability of the algorithm. The proposed apparatus and method may also be applied to improve the detection of correlated events in e.g., time-series by leveraging prior knowledge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modelling a joint, the method comprising, processing first 3D surface image data of a body part in a first pose by means of an automatic pose retrieval method so as to obtain first articulation parameters representative of the first pose, wherein the body part comprises a first anatomical structure and a second anatomical structure connected by a joint; performing image registration between first medical image data of the body part, the first medical image data acquired simultaneously with the first 3D surface image data and depicting the first anatomical structure and the second anatomical structure, and second medical image data of the body part in a second pose, wherein the image registration is performed individually for each of the first anatomical structure and the second anatomical structure; determining transformation data representing one or more first transformations required to register the first anatomical structure in the first medical image data to the first anatomical

Abstract: Many potential interactions may occur during the planning and execution of non-standard projections in radiological examinations, leading to an increased risk of error and a longer, more complex, and costly workflow. There is provided a method to be used in radiology workflow which comprises, in a planning step, enabling a first user to prepare an imaging examination request defining a non-standard projection for a radiographic image; in a communication step, processing the imaging examination request to generate positional instructions on how to achieve the non-standard projection, outputting the positional instructions to a second user, and receiving a radiographic image acquired using the non-standard projection; and, in a verification step, determining whether the received radiographic image fulfils the imaging examination request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for detecting pain experienced by a patient in relation to a pose of the patient. The system comprises a pose estimation unit configured to estimate the pose of the patient and a pain detection unit configured to detect pain experienced by the patient. The system further comprises a processing unit configured to determine a correlation between the detected pain experienced by the patient and the estimated pose of the patient. The determined correlation can be displayed on a display unit to a physician.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray image processing system (4) comprising an X-ray image input interface (8), a computing unit (9) and an X-ray image output interface (11). The X-ray image input interface (8) is configured to receive original X-ray images taken by an X-ray imaging system (1) comprising an X-ray source (2) and an X-ray detector (3). The computing unit (9) is connected to the X-ray image input interface (8) and is configured to obtain at least one original X-ray image from the X-ray image input interface (8), obtain information relating to the relative detector pose of the X-ray detector (3) relative to the X-ray source (2) and obtain a point of interest (P) in the original X-ray image, wherein the point of interest (P) is an anatomical structure or a part within an anatomical structure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of compensating for image quality issue in an image study. The method includes acquiring a current image study, measuring, via a processor, a patient positioning parameter indicating a deviation of a patient position in the current image study to an optimal patient position for an image exam type of the current image study and analyzing, via an analysis module, the current image study and the determined patient positioning parameter to determine a relationship between positioning errors and a grading of a diagnostic finding for the current image study, wherein the grading of the diagnostic finding includes one of a severity of the diagnostic finding or a certainty classification of the diagnostic finding.