Abstract: An image processing system, comprising an input interface (IN) for receiving a plurality of input images acquired of test objects. The system further comprises a material type analyzer (MTA) configured to produce material type readings at corresponding locations across said input images (IM(CH)). A statistical module (SM) of the system is configured to determine based on said readings an estimate for a probability distribution of material type for said corresponding locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of calculating a surgical intervention plan. Based on surface data of the patient, a surface representation of a part of the patient's body is created. From a database, a plurality of surgical methods may be selected and the geometrical parameters of a surgical plan can be adapted based on each individual surgical method. Therefore, the surgeon may easily select, which of the surgical method is appropriate for the planned surgical intervention. Furthermore, the surgical intervention plan which has been adapted according to the finally selected surgical method may then be projected onto the skin of the patient such that a drawing of the incision lines is facilitated. Furthermore, the use of a remotely activatable pen based on the current position of the pen and based on the finally selected surgical plan is presented.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) includes an input port (IN) for receiving a surface image of an outer layer (OL) of a current biomechanical assembly (TOR). The surface image is acquired by a surface imaging apparatus (DSC) along at least one imaging direction. The assembly includes relative to the imaging direction behind the outer layer, an inner wall (RC) element coupled from behind to the outer layer. The image processing system further includes a wall estimator (WE) configured to provide an estimate for geometrical data of the inner wall element (RC), the estimate being based on image information as per the surface image.

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 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: An image processing system, comprising an input interface (IN) for receiving a plurality of input images acquired of test objects. The system further comprises a material type analyzer (MTA) configured to produce material type readings at corresponding locations across said input images (IM(CH)). A statistical module (SM) of the system is configured to determine based on said readings an estimate for a probability distribution of material type for said corresponding locations.

Abstract: A method and related system (IPS) to support definition of a sub-volume (SV) in an initial image volume (IV).

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: System and related method of generating a composite model for a bio-mechanical assembly. The comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving i) at least two input component models (m(B), m(C)) for respective anatomical components (B, C) of the mechanical assembly, and ii) a surface image acquired by a camera (DSC) of an outer layer (OL) of said biomechanical assembly (T). A combiner (?) is configured to combine, based on said surface image, said at least two input component models (m(B), m(C)) into a combined mechanical model (m(T)) for said biomechanical assembly.

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: An image processing system (IPS) comprising an input port (IN) for receiving a surface image of an outer layer (O1) of a current biomechanical assembly (TOR). The surface image is acquired by a surface imaging apparatus (DSC) along at least one imaging direction. The assembly comprises, relative to said imaging direction behind said outer layer, an inner wall (RC) element coupled from behind to said outer layer. The image processing system further comprises a wall estimator (WE) configured to provide an estimate for geometrical data of said inner wall element (RC), said estimate being based on image information as per said surface image.

Abstract: A system and a computer-implemented method are provided far segmenting an object in a medical image using a graphical segmentation interface. The graphical segmentation interface may comprise a set of segmentation tools tier 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 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: A method and related system (IPS) to support definition of a sub-volume (SV) in an initial image volume (IV).

Abstract: X-ray apparatus, with a collimator arrangement (12a, 18, 28a) positioned between the focus point (12b) and the detector (28b), mechanics (43) for enabling motion of the collimator arrangement, the detector and the x-ray source along a scan trajectory (30) in a x-z plane (83) and also along curved scan trajectory (45), which partly extents along a y-axis (35) perpendicular to the x-z plane. By using this invention better tissue coverage of objects with curved edges can be obtained.

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: The present invention relates to a method of calculating a surgical intervention plan. Based on surface data of the patient, a surface representation of a part of the patient's body is created. From a database, a plurality of surgical methods may be selected and the geometrical parameters of a surgical plan can be adapted based on each individual surgical method. Therefore, the surgeon may easily select, which of the surgical method is appropriate for the planned surgical intervention. Furthermore, the surgical intervention plan which has been adapted according to the finally selected surgical method may then be projected onto the skin of the patient such that a drawing of the incision lines is facilitated. Furthermore, the use of a remotely activatable pen based on the current position of the pen and based on the finally selected surgical plan is presented.

Abstract: X-ray apparatus, with a collimator arrangement (12a, 18, 28a) positioned between the focus point (12b) and the detector (28b), mechanics (43) for enabling motion of the collimator arrangement, the detector and the x-ray source along a scan trajectory (30) in a x-z plane (83) and also along curved scan trajectory (45), which partly extents along a y-axis (35) perpendicular to the x-z plane. By using this invention better tissue coverage of objects with curved edges can be obtained.