Abstract: A method for registration of ultrasound device in three dimensions to a C-arm scan, the method including acquiring a baseline volume, acquiring images in which the ultrasound device is disposed, locating the device within the images, registering the location of the device to the baseline volume, acquiring an ultrasound volume from the ultrasound device, registering the ultrasound volume to the baseline volume, and performing fusion imaging to display a view of the ultrasound device in the baseline volume.

Abstract: A controller of an image-generating medical engineering assembly receives a selection of an image valuation method from a user. It subsequently automatically adjusts selection-specific, positioning-independent operating parameters of the recording arrangement and or provides the user with instructions for adjusting the positioning-independent operating parameters. In response to a user's start input the controller captures by means of a recording arrangement of the image-generating medical engineering assembly a sequence of successive two-dimensional images of an iteratively moving object being examined and capturing instants thereof as well as a phase signal of the object being examined and archives the sequence of images, capturing instants and the phase signal.

Abstract: In a multi-modality method for representing functional and morphological exposures of an extremity of patients exhibiting arthritis/arthrosis, and corresponding computer software, images obtained with different imaging modalities are supplied to a computer and displayed at the computer with a default line model of the extremity superimposed on each of the images. A user interacts with the computer to modify the line model as necessary, so that each of the images has a modified line model associated therewith. The images obtained from the different imaging modalities are then superimposed and registered with each other by conforming the respective modified line models with each other. One of the images can be composed of a number of sub-images, obtained at respective joints in the extremity. These individual images of the joint can be fused with the image of the complete extremity, so that in a display of such a fused image, the individual joint images can be selected and displayed.

Abstract: 2-D projection images show the temporal course of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object containing a vascular system and the surroundings thereof. Each projection image has pixels with pixel values defined by the same areas of the examination object. A computer determines a 2-D evaluation image having pixels corresponding to those of the projection images and assigns each pixel in a sub-area to one of three types, vessel, perfused part of the surroundings or non-perfused part of the surroundings. The computer assigns an extent of a perfusion in the pixels of the evaluation image assigned the type of perfused part of the surroundings to the respective pixel. The type and extend are determined from the temporal course of the pixel values of the pixels of the projection image which is in a two-dimensional evaluation core defined by a respective pixel of the evaluation image.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system permit a co-registration between points in a three-dimensional model of a vessel and vascular images obtained by an imaging catheter within the vessel at the respective points. The three-dimensional model is created by utilizing information from at least two external two-dimensional images produced by, e.g., one or more x-ray devices. The three-dimensional model is displayed on an analysis workstation, and a user may view the vascular images at particular points by selecting the appertaining points on the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: A method for positioning a stent able to be deployed to support a vessel in a blood vessel, especially in the cardiology, with the stent after its provisional placement in a not yet deployed state in an area intended for the support of the vessel, being at least partly automatically deployed as a function of at least one triggering signal for final positioning in the blood vessel.

Abstract: In a computerized workflow method for stent planning and conducting a stenting procedure, characteristics of a lesion to be stented are determined from a 3D planning image of the region and selection of an actual stent for stenting the lesion is made with computer-assisted analysis of the lesion based on the characteristics. A virtual stent is electronically generated based on the actual stent, and, using the virtual stent, a best position for the actual stent, for effectively stenting the lesion, is determined. A real time 2D image of the lesion-containing region is displayed during the stenting procedure, with the virtual stent included therein at the aforementioned best position. A physician manually guides the actual stent relative to the lesion during the stenting procedure until the position of the actual stent, as seen in the displayed real time 2D image, coincides with the virtual stent in that image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assisting with percutaneous interventions, wherein 2D x-ray images of an object region are recorded before the intervention using a C-arm x-ray system or a robot-based x-ray system at different projection angles and 3D x-ray image data of the object region is reconstructed from the 2D x-ray recordings. One or more 2D or 3D ultrasound images are recorded before and/or during the intervention using an external ultrasound system and registered with the 3D image data. The 2D or 3D ultrasound images are then overlaid with the 3D image data record or a target region segmented therefrom or displayed next to one another in the same perspective. The method allows a puncture or biopsy to be monitored with a low level of radiation.

Abstract: A recording arrangement of an x-ray system comprises an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. Adjustment parameters can be manually supplied to the recording arrangement by an operator of the x-ray system, so that the x-ray source emits x-rays according to the manually given adjustment parameters and the x-ray detector accordingly acquires a sequence of images of an object. The manually supplied adjustment parameters can be automatically acquired by an acquisition device and stored in a remanent memory at least temporarily assigned to the acquisition device and remain stored after the completion of the acquisition of the sequence independently of a further operation of the x-ray system. The stored adjustment parameters can be retrieved from the remanent memory by the operator and supplied again to the recording arrangement so that a further sequence of images can be acquired according to the retrieved adjustment parameters.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system includes a catheter in which is arranged a plurality of light conducting fibers. It further includes a plurality of optical units. Light from the proximal end to the distal end and signals from the distal end to the proximal end can be transmitted simultaneously in different fibers. Time is saved through the simultaneous signal processing of signals from different fibers. That is advantageous particularly in the imaging, by means of coherence tomography, of blood vessels that have to be occluded for said imaging.

Abstract: Catheter device for insertion into a vessel of a human or animal body, comprising a guide catheter and, incorporated in same, an OCT catheter with an OCT imaging device, the guide catheter having a balloon inflatable via a supply line for occluding the vessel, as well as a device for delivering a liquid or gas to the vascular region to be recorded by means of the OCT imaging device, in particular the vascular region located distally to the balloon, wherein there is provided on the guide catheter a second inflatable balloon spaced apart from the first balloon for occluding the vessel, wherein the section of the guide catheter between the two balloons is transparent, at least in sections, to the OCT radiation emittable by the OCT imaging device disposed inside the guide catheter.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling the aortic valve in 4D image data, such as 4D CT and echocardiography, is disclosed. An initial estimate of a physiological aortic valve model is determined for at least one reference frame of a 4D image sequence based on anatomic features in the reference frame. The initial estimate is refined to generate a final estimate in the reference frame. A dynamic model of the aortic valve is then generated by estimating the physiological aortic valve model for each remaining frame of the 4D image sequence based on the final estimate in the reference frame. The aortic valve can be quantitatively evaluated using the dynamic model.

Abstract: A method of optimized diagnosis and treatment of suspected myocardial infarctions is described. The patient having possible coronary artery disease is transferred to a treatment room with an imaging modality suitable for obtaining computed tomographic (CT)-like images. Such images are obtained as radiographic image data, with or without contrast agent, and used in the medical diagnosis. If minimally invasive therapy such as percutaneous transluminal coronal angioplasty (PTCA) is indicated, the patient is prepared for the procedure in the same room, and the procedure performed, where the imaging modality is used to obtain fluoroscopic images to guide the PTCA procedure, or to assess the results of the procedure. The imaging modality may be mounted to a first positioning robot, and a second robot may facilitate the positioning or movement of the patient.

Abstract: The invention can be summarized as follows: A collision protection device for a patient examination table of a medical X-ray device is provided for the purpose of assuring simple and reliable avoidance of collisions between very fast moving device parts of a medical X-ray device and a patient, which collision protection device has a protective element made of an X-ray transparent material, wherein the collision protection device can be arranged relative to the patient examination table and brought into a position such that in said position the protective element mechanically shields at least a part of the lying surface of the patient examination table.

Abstract: A bronchopulmonary medical services system is provided in order to offer medical services to a patient in a single location. In one aspect, the system is provided with a patient alignment device and a C-arm imaging device. A medical services suite may be equipped with various medical service devices such that the patient receives medical services in a single location.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining perfusion images is disclosed. The system and method includes hardware and software for determining physiological characteristics of a patient and determining imaging parameter values for an imaging modality based on the patient's physiological characteristics. The system also includes a controller operative to receive the imaging parameter values for controlling an X-ray device. The X-ray device is coupled with the controller and acquires projection images of the patient, and outputs the projection images to a perfusion evaluation computer for evaluating the perfusion of an region of interest represented in the projection images. The perfusion rate of the region of interest is then output to an output device, such as a display or printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for assisting a percutaneous intervention, comprising an imaging system for tomographic imaging, a robot registered therewith and devices for capturing movements of the patient. A processing unit registers a 4D image dataset recorded before the intervention with a 2D or 3D image dataset of the patient which was recorded immediately before the intervention by the imaging system at a defined respiratory position. From this image data, the access path is transmitted to the robot as a function of the movements captured during recording the 4D image dataset and registration, said robot in turn, depending on the instantaneous movement data, holding the instrument on a predetermined target path and preventing the instrument from being advanced by the person if and as long as the instantaneous movement data does not match the previously recorded movement data. The arrangement reduces the risk of puncture errors.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis or treatment of a patient in a catheterization laboratory is described, the method including the soliciting of advice from an expert located remotely from the catheterization laboratory. The expert is contacted and requested to log on to a client computer in communications with a computer in the catheterization laboratory, so that image and other data related to the patient may be displayed at the remote location. The access rights to the data may be established and limited by the catheterization laboratory or a hospital data management system. The expert may view and may manipulate the data provided, control a catheter, or may request additional data or adjust the angiographic imaging device, and may offer an opinion on the diagnosis or treatment as requested by personnel of the catheterization laboratory.

Abstract: In a multi-modality method for representing functional and morphological exposures of an extremity of patients exhibiting arthritis/arthrosis, and corresponding computer software, images obtained with different imaging modalities are supplied to a computer and displayed at the computer with a default line model of the extremity superimposed on each of the images. A user interacts with the computer to modify the line model as necessary, so that each of the images has a modified line model associated therewith. The images obtained from the different imaging modalities are then superimposed and registered with each other by conforming the respective modified line models with each other. One of the images can be composed of a number of sub-images, obtained at respective joints in the extremity. These individual images of the joint can be fused with the image of the complete extremity, so that in a display of such a fused image, the individual joint images can be selected and displayed.

Abstract: In a method for implanting a cardiac implant, a 3D CT dataset of a cardiac region of interest at which an implant is to be implanted, is displayed and the implantation procedure is planned, which includes the physician electronically marking a best implantation site in the displayed image. This marking is then included in the 3D CT dataset. A 3D ultrasound dataset of the region of interest is acquired, and is brought into registration with the 3D CT dataset that incorporates the marking, and a fused image is produced therefrom. The fused image is displayed during the implantation procedure, and is updated with multiple real-time 2D ultrasound images obtained using the catheter that is employed to deliver the implant to the implantation site.