Abstract: When delineating anatomical structures in a medical image of a patient for radiotherapy planning, a processor (18) detects landmarks (24) in a low-resolution image (e.g., MRI or low-dose CT) and maps the detected landmarks to reference landmarks (28) in a reference contour of the anatomical structure. The mapped landmarks facilitate adjusting the reference contour to fit the anatomical structure. The adjusted reference contour data is transformed and applied to a second image using a thin-plate spline, and the adjusted high-resolution image is used for radiotherapy planning.

Abstract: The quality of thoracic X-rays is depends on the inspiration state of an imaged patient. If the lungs of a patient are not significantly inflated during a thoracic X-ray, tissue from surrounding organs can cause the image to become cloudier, and the lung parenchyma is not effectively shown. Thus, there is a reliance on a medical professional to ensure that the patient is in an appropriate posture and inspiration state at the point of image exposure. This can be difficult with patients suffering from chronic conditions, though. Therefore, this application discusses a means to assess the inspiration state using the position of rib bones, and the diaphragm line in the X-ray image. Thus, an accurate estimate of inspiration state can automatically be reported to a medical professional, before a patient leaves the examination room, allowing an X-ray to be retaken, if necessary.

Abstract: A radiation planning system includes a predictor-corrector optimizer unit which computes a predicted dose based on a collection of control points with a current approximate dose, each control point with a corresponding set of leaf positions, and determines an additional control point with a corresponding set of leaf positions based on a difference of the predicted fluence and the current approximate fluence through a least cost or shortest path in a layered graph structure of realizable leaf positions. Tools are described to help a planner to evaluate the effect of parameter changes to the current plan based on an identified zone of influence. The planner interactively views the current plan based on a visualization of the plan objectives and correlations between the objectives.

Abstract: A system and a computer-implemented method are provided for segmenting an object in a medical image using a graphical segmentation interface. The graphical segmentation interface may comprise a set of segmentation tools for enabling a user to obtain a first segmentation of the object in the image. This first segmentation may be represented by segmentation data. Interaction data may be obtained which is indicative of a set of user interactions of the user with the graphical segmentation interface by which the first segmentation of the object was obtained. The system may comprise a processor configured for analyzing the segmentation data and the interaction data to determine an optimized set of user interactions which, when carried out by the user, obtains a second segmentation similar to the first segmentation, yet in a quicker and more convenient manner. A video may be generated for training the user by indicating the optimized set of user interactions to the user.

Abstract: A radiology viewer includes at least one electronic processor (10, 20), at least one display (12), and at least one user input device (14, 16, 18). The display shows at least a portion of a radiology image (30) in an image window (40), and at least a portion of a radiology report (32) in a report window (42). A selection is received of an anatomical feature shown in the image window, and a corresponding passage of the radiology report is identified and highlighted in the report window. A selection is received of a passage of the radiology report shown in the report window, and a corresponding anatomical feature of the at least one radiology image is identified and highlighted in the image window. The highlighting operations use image anatomical feature tags and report clinical concept tags generated using a medical ontology (56) and an anatomical atlas (62).

Abstract: A resource management system for better operation of a plurality of devices. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving input data including one or more characteristics of at least one work object (P1-P3) and/or including context data. The at least one work object (P1-P3) can be processed by one or more processing devices (Mij). The said processing is specified in a respective work specification (S1-S3). A predictor component (PC) of the system is configured to predict, based on the input data, a change to the work specification. The system comprises an output interface (OUT) for providing output data that represents said predicted change.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for enabling a user to interactively navigate through a set of slice images, the set of slice images jointly representing an image volume showing an anatomical structure of a patient. A user may be enabled to switch from a static viewing mode to a navigation mode based on navigation commands received from a user input device operable by the user. A display processor may be configured for, in the static viewing mode, generating an output image comprising one slice image of the set of slice images. The display processor may be configured for, in the navigation mode, replacing the said one slice image in the output image by a volume rendering of a slab of the image volume, the slab comprising more than one slice image. The system and method thus selectively switch to volume rendering, namely during navigation, whereas in a static (i.e., non-navigation) viewing mode, a slice image is shown.

Abstract: Medical radiography requires specialist control of radiography equipment to achieve good imaging results. Typical errors that can occur consist of an inappropriate field of view being accidentally applied. This results in a “cropping effect” in which portions of the region of interest of a patient which would be of clinical use are omitted from the image. Conventionally, the only solution is to re-take the entire image with a more appropriate (and inevitably larger) field of view selected. This is undesirable, because it might require recall of the patient from another location, and the patient will be subject to two exposures, thus undesirably increasing their X-ray dosage. The present application proposes to use an anatomical atlas to analyse an X-ray image output from an initial exposure, in particular to assess whether significant anatomical elements are missing from the image.

Abstract: System and related method to visualize image data. The system comprises an input port (IN) for receiving i) image data comprising a range of intensity values converted from signals acquired by an imaging apparatus in respect of an imaged object, and ii) a definition of a first transfer function configured to map a data interval within said range of said intensity values to an image interval of image values. A transition region identifier (TRI) identifies from among intensity values outside said data interval, one or more transition intensity values representative of a transition in composition and/or configuration of said object or of a transition in respect of a physical property in relation to said object. A transfer function generator (TFG) generates for said intensity values outside said data interval a second transfer function. The second transfer function is non-linear and has a respective gradient that is locally maximal around said transition intensity values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for quality assessment of medical images. The device comprises an image input configured to obtain a medical image acquired according to an imaging guideline, a database access unit configured to access a database storing reference images for a plurality of imaging guidelines and for obtaining a reference image based on the imaging guideline used for acquisition of the obtained medical image, an analysis unit configured to analyze the obtained medical image in view of the obtained reference image and/or the used imaging guideline to generate quality information representing the quality of the obtained medical image, and a quality output configured to output the generated quality information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the detection of opacities in X-ray images. It is described to provide (210) an analysis X-ray image of a region of interest of an analyzed body part. A model of a normal region of interest is provided (220), wherein the model is based on a plurality of X-ray images of the region of interest. At least one abnormality is detected (230) in the region of interest of the analyzed body part, the detection comprising comparing the analysis X-ray image of the region of interest and the model of the normal region of interest. Information is output (240) on the at least one abnormality.

Abstract: A method for segmenting image data includes identifying a 2D boundary start position corresponding to tissue of interest in a cross-section of volumetric image data, wherein the start position is identified by a current position of a graphical pointer with respect to the cross-section, generating a preview 2D boundary for the tissue of interest based on the start position, displaying the preview 2D boundary superimposed over the cross-section, and updating the displayed preview 2D boundary if the position of the graphical pointer changes with respect to the cross-section.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for visualizing a volumetric image of an anatomical structure. Using a first view of the volumetric image showing a non-orthogonal cross-section of a surface of the anatomical structure, a local orientation of the surface within the volumetric image is determined, namely by analyzing the image data of the volumetric image. Having determined the local orientation of the surface, a second view is generated of the volumetric image, the second view being geometrically defined by a viewing plane intersecting the surface of the anatomical structure in the volumetric image orthogonally. Accordingly, the surface is shown in a sharper manner in the second view than would typically be the case in the first view. Advantageously, the user can manually define or correct a delineation of the outline of the anatomical structure in a more precise manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compression and shielding device (10) for X-ray mammography, an X-ray mammography system, and a method for X-ray mammography. The compression and shielding device (10) for X-ray mammography comprises a compression element (11), and a shielding (12). The compression element (11) is arranged to compress a part of the breast to be examined. The shielding (12) is to be arranged between an X-ray source (2) and the compression element (11) to shield an uncompressed part of the breast from the X-ray radiation. The shielding (12) is formed to allow the direction of X-ray radiation to the compressed part of the breast and to keep an uncompressed part of the breast uncovered.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for enabling a user to interactively navigate through a set of slice images, the set of slice images jointly representing an image volume showing an anatomical structure of a patient. A user may be enabled to switch from a static viewing mode to a navigation mode based on navigation commands received from a user input device operable by the user. A display processor may be configured for, in the static viewing mode, generating an output image comprising one slice image of the set of slice images. The display processor may be configured for, in the navigation mode, replacing the said one slice image in the output image by a volume rendering of a slab of the image volume, the slab comprising more than one slice image. The system and method thus selectively switch to volume rendering, namely during navigation, whereas in a static (i.e., non-navigation) viewing mode, a slice image is shown.

Abstract: A device for segmenting an image of a subject (36), includes a data interface for receiving an image of the subject (36), which image depicts a structure of said subject (36). A translation unit translates a user-initiated motion of an image positioner into a first contour (38) surrounding said structure. A motion parameter registering unit registers a motion parameter of said user-initiated motion to said first contour (38). The motion parameter includes a speed and/or an acceleration of an image positioner. An image control point unit distributes a plurality of image control points (40) on the first contour with a density decreasing with the motion parameter. A segmentation unit segments the image by determining a second contour (44) within the first contour based on the plurality of image control points (40). The segmentation unit is configured to use one or more segmentation functions.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (104) for storing medical imaging data. The apparatus comprises a processor configured to acquire a medical imaging study relating to a subject; identify elements in the medical imaging study that are indicative of the identity of the subject; anonymize the medical imaging study by removing the identified elements from the medical imaging study; deliver the anonymized medical imaging study for storage at a first location; and deliver data relating to the identified elements for storage at a second location. An apparatus for retrieving medical imaging data from storage, associated methods and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for segmenting an image (12) of a subject (14) comprising a data interface (16) for receiving an image (12) of said subject (14) and at least one contour (18) or at least one part of a contour (18), said contour (18) indicating a structure (19) within said image (12), a selection unit (20) for selecting a region (22) in said image (12) divided into a first and a second disjoint part (24, 26) by said contour (18) or said part of said contour (18), said selected region (22) comprising a drawn region and/or a computed region, a classifier (28) for classifying said selected region (22) based on at least one parameter for image segmentation, an analysis unit (29) for defining an objective function based on the classification result, an optimizer (30) for optimizing said parameter set by varying an output of said objective function and an image segmentation unit (32) for segmenting said image (12) using said optimized parameter set.

Abstract: A region of interest segmentation system includes a display device, a gaze-tracking device, a gaze point collector, a boundary identifier, and a region identifier. The display device displays an image. The gaze-tracking device, generates gaze points relative to the displayed image. The gaze point collector selects gaze points from the generated gaze points corresponding to a region of interest of the displayed image. the boundary identifier estimates a boundary based on the selected gaze points. The region identifier segments the region of interest based on the estimated boundary.

Abstract: The quality of thoracic X-rays is depends on the inspiration state of an imaged patient. If the lungs of a patient are not significantly inflated during a thoracic X-ray, tissue from surrounding organs can cause the image to become cloudier, and the lung parenchyma is not effectively shown. Thus, there is a reliance on a medical professional to ensure that the patient is in an appropriate posture and inspiration state at the point of image exposure. This can be difficult with patients suffering from chronic conditions, though. Therefore, this application discusses a means to assess the inspiration state using the position of rib bones, and the diaphragm line in the X-ray image. Thus, an accurate estimate of inspiration state can automatically be reported to a medical professional, before a patient leaves the examination room, allowing an X-ray to be retaken, if necessary.