Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. The image frames are enhanced with respect to a first given feature of the image frames, by (a) image tracking the image frames with respect to the first given feature, (b) identifying a second given feature in each of the image frames, and (c) in response to the identifying, reducing visibility of the second given feature in the image frames. The image frames that (a) have been image tracked with respect to the first given feature, and (b) have had reduced therein the visibility of the second given feature, are displayed as a stream of image frames. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for receiving into at least one processor at least one image of blood vessels of a subject. Using image processing, discontinuous lines that correspond to paths of at least a portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically derived, the lines having end points at discontinuities in the lines. Continuous lines that correspond to the paths of the portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically generated by bridging the discontinuities in the discontinuous lines. An output is generated by the processor, based on the continuous lines. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including displaying an image of one or more lumens of a subject. A processor includes lumen-identification functionality configured to automatically identify one or more lumens in the image. Envelope-designation functionality of the processor designates as lumen envelopes, portions of the image in vicinities of respective lumens. In response to the user designating a location inside a lumen envelope of a given lumen, via an input device, the location corresponding to a given longitudinal location within the given lumen, feature-generation functionality of the processor generates a feature on the image that corresponds to the given longitudinal location. An output is displayed in response to the generated feature. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an image of blood vessels of a subject. In response to a user designating a single point on the image (a) a target portion of a blood vessel is automatically identified in the vicinity of the designated point, and (b) quantitative vessel analysis is performed on the target portion of the blood vessel. An output is generated based upon the quantitative vessel analysis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device configured to acquire endoluminal data points while moving through a lumen of a subject's body generally in a first direction with respect to the lumen. While the endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through the lumen, a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen are acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that, at least one location, two or more endoluminal data points were acquired. An output is generated using a portion of the plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device, by using only a single endoluminal data point corresponding to the location. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device that acquires a set of endoluminal data-points of a lumen of a subject's body at respective locations inside the lumen, a second endoluminal device, and a display configured to display images. At least one processor includes location-association functionality that associates a given data point acquired by the endoluminal data-acquisition device with a given location within the lumen. Location-determination functionality determines, by means of image processing, in an extraluminal image of the second endoluminal device, a current location of at least a portion of the second endoluminal device. Display-driving functionality drives the display to display an indication of the endoluminal data point associated with the location, in response to determining that the portion of the second device is currently at the location. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device configured to be moved through a lumen, the device having a radiopaque marker coupled thereto. While the device is being moved through the lumen (a) endoluminal data points of the lumen are acquired using the device, (b) contrast agent is continuously injected into the lumen, and (c) angiographic images of the device are acquired. It is determined that endoluminal data points correspond to respective locations within the lumen, by determining locations of the radiopaque marker within the angiographic images of the lumen, by performing image processing on the angiographic images, the locations of the radiopaque marker within the angiographic images of the lumen corresponding to respective endoluminal data points. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for imaging a tool inside a portion of a subject's body that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. An image frame in which the tool is enhanced is generated by (a) identifying radiopaque markers in the image frames, (b) identifying edge lines in a vicinity of the markers within the image frames, the edge lines corresponding to contours of the tool, (c) in response to the identifying of the edge lines, selecting a subset of the image frames that are based upon the acquired image frames, based upon a level of similarity between the edge lines in the selected image frames to one another, (d) aligning the contours in a plurality of the selected image frames, and (e) averaging the plurality of aligned frames to generate an averaged image frame. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a first rotating member configured to be implanted in an airway of a subject and rotated in an inhalation direction by an inhaled flow of fluid in the airway. A mechanical energy accumulator is configured to accumulate energy from the rotation of the first rotating member. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including displaying an image of one or more lumens of a subject. A processor includes lumen-identification functionality configured to automatically identify one or more lumens in the image. Envelope-designation functionality of the processor designates as lumen envelopes, portions of the image in vicinities of respective lumens. In response to the user designating a location inside a lumen envelope of a given lumen, via an input device, the location corresponding to a given longitudinal location within the given lumen, feature-generation functionality of the processor generates a feature on the image that corresponds to the given longitudinal location. An output is displayed in response to the generated feature. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described including a sensor that senses a phase of cyclic motion of a portion of a subject's body. During a first phase of a first cycle of the cyclic motion, a tool modulator does not to facilitate movement of a tool with respect to the portion. Subsequent to the first phase, in response to the sensor sensing that the first cycle is at a second phase thereof, the modulator facilitates movement of the tool. In a cycle subsequent to the first cycle, the modulator facilitates movement of the tool, during the entire subsequent cycle. During the first phase of the first cycle, an accumulation-facilitator facilitates an accumulation of energy in the accumulation-facilitator. An accumulation-inhibitor inhibits accumulation of energy in the accumulation-facilitator during the subsequent cycle, by actively inhibiting movement of at least a portion of the accumulation-facilitator. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for receiving into at least one processor at least one image of blood vessels of a subject. Using image processing, discontinuous lines that correspond to paths of at least a portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically derived, the lines having end points at discontinuities in the lines. Continuous lines that correspond to the paths of the portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically generated by bridging the discontinuities in the discontinuous lines. An output is generated by the processor, based on the continuous lines. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including generating a road map of a blood vessel. Subsequent to the generation of the road map, a tool is inserted into the blood vessel. While the tool is inside the blood vessel, the position of the tool is determined. The road map is modified to account for the determined position of the tool. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. The image frames are enhanced with respect to a first given feature of the image frames, by (a) image tracking the image frames with respect to the first given feature, (b) identifying a second given feature in each of the image frames, and (c) in response to the identifying, reducing visibility of the second given feature in the image frames. The image frames that (a) have been image tracked with respect to the first given feature, and (b) have had reduced therein the visibility of the second given feature, are displayed as a stream of image frames. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. A stream of image frames is generated in which a vicinity of a given feature of the image frames is enhanced, by (a) automatically identifying the given feature in each of the image frames, (b) aligning the given feature in two or more of the image frames, (c) averaging sets of two or more of the aligned frames to generate a plurality of averaged image frames, and (d) displaying as a stream of image frames the plurality of averaged image frames. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for receiving into at least one processor a set of images of blood vessels of a subject. A road map of the subject's blood vessels is generated, by automatically (a) deriving at least one image from the set of images of the blood vessels, based upon visibility of at least a portion of the blood vessels in the set of images, and (b) in the derived image, determining a location of edge lines of at least some of the portion of the blood vessels in the image. An output is generated by the processor, based on the road map. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for deploying an implantable tool at an implantation location of a blood vessel. The tool is placed at the implantation location in a non-deployed configuration. A plurality of image frames are acquired of the non-deployed tool at the implantation location, during respective phases of the vessel's motion cycle. A stabilized image stream is generated of the non-deployed tool at the implantation location. It is determined based upon the stabilized image stream of the non-deployed tool that, during the vessel's motion cycle, the tool moves from the implantation location by a given distance in a first direction. Movement of the tool by the given distance is accounted for, by deploying the tool at a deployment location that is distant from the implantation location in the opposite direction to the first direction. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a tool into a blood vessel, and, while the tool is within the blood vessel, acquiring an extraluminal image of the blood vessel. In the extraluminal image of the blood vessel, a location of a portion of the tool with respect to the blood vessel is detected automatically. In response to detecting the location of the portion of the tool, a target portion of the blood vessel that is in a vicinity of the portion of the tool is designated automatically. Using the extraluminal image, quantitative vessel analysis is performed on the target portion of the blood vessel. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including generating a road map of a blood vessel in a portion of a subject's body. A given feature that is within the portion of the subject's body is identified in the road map, the given feature being visible even in images of the portion the generation of which does not include use of a contrast agent. A tool is inserted into the blood vessel, and a current location of a portion of the tool is determined with respect to the given feature, by imaging the tool and the feature. In response to the determined current location, a current position of the tool within the road map is determined. In response to determining the current position of the tool within the road map, the current position of the tool with respect to the road map is displayed. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a tool inside a portion of a subject's body that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames are acquired of the portion of the subject's body. The image frames are image tracked by (a) automatically identifying at least a feature of the tool in at least a portion of the image frames, and (b) aligning the tool in image frames of the portion of the image frames, based on the automatic identifying. The image-tracked image frames of the portion of the subject's body are displayed as an image stream. Other embodiments are also described.