Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 300) comprising a display (112) and a user interface (114). The execution of machine executable instructions (120) causes a processor (104) to: receive (200) three-dimensional medical image data (122) of an anatomical structure (128, 322); receive (202) a three-dimensional segmentation (124) with one or more reference locations (800); display (204) at least one two-dimensional slice (126) of the three-dimensional medical image data; render (206) a cross section (134) of the three-dimensional segmentation, provide (208) a control element (130) of the user interface that is configured for receiving a one-dimensional position of the at least one reference location along a predetermined one-dimensional path (806); receive (210) the one-dimensional position (137) from the control element; adjust (212) the three-dimensional segmentation (124) using the one-dimensional position; and update (214) the rendering of the cross section of the three-dimensional segmentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to latency compensation for image processing devices. In order to assign overlay data to frames of a raw image stream (210), past frames within a selection of frames of the raw image stream are considered, which past frames already underwent image processing. A current frame of the raw image stream (210) is compared to the past frames contained in the selection of frames, and that one of the past frames is identified that is most similar to the current frame. Overlay data from the identified past frame are chosen and assigned to the current frame. Thus, the current frame can be presented together with the assigned overlay data chosen from the most similar past frame and without the need to wait for the result of a computationally expensive and time-consuming image processing of the current frame.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for refining a mapped surface mesh of a cardiac chamber. The method includes obtaining a mapped surface mesh of the cardiac chamber anatomy, wherein the mapped surface mesh comprises a central region representing a cardiac chamber and an outer region representing a peripheral cardiac structure connected to the cardiac chamber, and wherein the mapped surface mesh comprises a first view of an anatomical landmark within the cardiac chamber, and obtaining image data of a cardiac chamber anatomy of a subject. The central region of the mapped surface mesh is deformed based on a first segmentation algorithm configured according to one or more predetermined shape- constraints and the outer region of the mapped surface mesh is deformed based on a second segmentation algorithm configured according to the image data, thereby generating a deformed outer region. The deformed central region and the deformed outer region are then combined, thereby generating a refined mapped surface mesh.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound processing unit. A controller (18) of the unit is adapted to receive ultrasound data of an anatomical region, for example of the heart. The controller processes the ultrasound data over a period of time to monitor and detect whether alignment of a particular anatomical feature (34) represented in the data relative to a field of view (36) of the transducer unit is changing over time. In the event that the alignment is changing, the controller generates an output signal for communicating this to a user, allowing a user to be alerted at an early stage to likelihood of misalignment and loss of imaging or measurement capability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and computer-implemented method for enabling correction of a segmentation of an anatomical structure in 3D image data. The segmentation may be provided by a mesh which is applied to the 3D image data to segment the anatomical structure. The correction may for example involve a user directly or indirectly selecting a mesh part, such as a mesh point, that needs to be corrected. The behaviour of the correction, e.g., in terms of direction, radius/neighbourhood or strength, may then be dependent on the mesh normal direction, and in some embodiments, on a difference between the mesh normal direction and the orientation of the viewing plane.

Abstract: A mechanism for creating/synthesizing realistic training data, for training a machine-learning model, using anatomical knowledge. An anatomical model can be obtained. Information from annotated training data entries (i.e. “ground truth” information), can be used to model the anatomical variation, from the obtained model, in the population of the training data. This anatomical model can then be modified, e.g. incorporating some random factors, in order to generate one or more augmented models of realistic anatomies. The augmented anatomy is then transferred from the model domain to the data entry domain to thereby generate a new data entry or data entries for training a machine-learning model. This latter process can be achieved in various ways, e.g. using GANs, such as CycleGANs and label images, or deformation vector fields.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a user control by which a user positions the user's selection of a heart chamber border in relation to two myocardial boundaries identified by a deformable heart model. The user's border is positioned by a single degree of freedom control which positions the border as a function of a single user-determined value. This overcomes the vagaries of machine-drawn borders and their mixed acceptance by clinicians, who can now create repeatably-drawn borders and exchange the control value for use by others to obtain the same results.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus (10) is disclosed comprising a processor arrangement (16) adapted to map a model (1) of an anatomical feature of interest onto an ultrasound image showing at least a section of said anatomical feature of interest and to segment said ultrasound image in accordance with the mapped model; and a touchscreen display (18, 19) adapted to display said ultrasound image including the mapped anatomical model. The processor arrangement is responsive to the touchscreen display and adapted to recognize a type of a user touch motion (3) provided through the touchscreen display (18, 19), each type of user touch motion being associated with a particular type of alteration of said mapping and alter said mapping in accordance with the recognized type of user touch motion. Also disclosed are an ultrasound imaging system, a computer-implemented method and a computer program product.

Abstract: Provided is a method (200) for generating a combined anatomical model of a heart. The method comprises receiving (220) a non-contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound image of a left ventricular region of the heart and receiving (240) a contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound image of the left ventricular region of the heart. Image registration (260) is performed on the respective non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images, such that the respective images are aligned. Combined segmentation (270) of the aligned non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images is then carried out to generate the combined anatomical model. The combined segmentation (270) uses features of both of the aligned non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images as target points. Further provided is a processor arrangement adapted to implement the method and an ultrasound system comprising the processor arrangement.

Abstract: Slice alignment approaches are described for short axis cardiac magnetic resonance cine slice stacks, which do not require additional scans, such as long axis scans or full 3D scans, and which are able to deal with cardiac structures having complex shapes. Both approaches do not need contours to follow a quadratic curvature function, and are well suitable for the purpose of obtaining a segmentation of a cardiac structure using a deformable surface model. Namely, such a deformable surface model is unable, but also not desired, to fully adapt to the ‘zig-zag’-shaped pattern in the boundary of the cardiac structure due to the slice misalignment. Having removed or reduced the misalignment between image slices, such a deformable surface model may better adapt to the cardiac structure in the image data and 10 thereby provide a better segmentation of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for refining a model of an anatomical structure in an image. A model for the anatomical structure in the image is acquired. The model comprises a plurality of control points, each control point corresponding to a feature in the anatomical structure. The model is placed in the image with respect to the anatomical structure. Based on a user input received to adjust the model in the image, a position of at least one of the plurality of control points is adjusted to alter a shape of the model to the anatomical structure in the image, wherein adjustment of the position of one or more of the at least one control points is restricted based on information relating to the at least one control point.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for switching between fields of view of an ultrasound probe. The method begins by obtaining an anatomical model representing a region of interest of a subject and establishing a first field of view relative to an ultrasonic probe, wherein the first field of view comprises an initial portion of the region of interest. Ultrasound data is then obtained from the first field of view by way of the ultrasonic probe and a first anatomical feature is identified within the first field of view based on the ultrasound data. A location in digital space of the first field of view relative to the anatomical model is determined based on the first anatomical feature. A second field of view is then established based on the anatomical model and the first field of view, wherein the first field of view functions as a reference field of view. The field of view is then switched from the first field of view to the second field of view.

Abstract: An image analysis method and device is for detecting failure or error in an image segmentation procedure. The method comprises comparing (14) segmentation outcomes for two or more images, representative of a particular anatomical region at different respective time points, and identifying a degree of consistency or deviation between them. Based on this derived consistency or deviation measure, a measure of accuracy of the segmentation procedure is determined (16).

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (12) is for configuring visualization of ultrasound data using in use a display unit. The control unit is adapted to acquire ultrasound image data and to automatically control visualization of the most relevant parts and views the data, based on current levels of a number of different monitored physiological parameters. In particular, responsively to one of the physiological parameters entering or leaving a pre-defined range of values (e.g. representative of an alert or normal condition respective for the patient), the control unit determines a most appropriate anatomical region within the image data for representing the changed physiological parameter, and a most useful visualization mode (e.g. view) for presenting or showing that anatomical region within the image data. One or more display frames are generated which show the anatomical region visualized in accordance with the selected visualization mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are an imaging system (10) or an interventional tool, such as a catheter (20), having a first ultrasound transducer array (23) and a second ultrasound transducer array (21) spaced by a fixed distance (D) from each other; wherein both arrays may be used to generate diagnostic images; and a processing arrangement (31, 32) to process a first sensor signal indicative of the first array imaging a reference location (X) at a first point in time, and to process a second sensor signal indicative of the second array imaging the reference location at a second point in time; and determine a translation (pullback) speed of the catheter from the set distance and the difference between the first point in time and the second point in time. Alternatively, a catheter may be provided comprising an ultrasound transducer array at a distal end of the catheter, and two pressure sensors for determining the translation speed.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed comprising an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells (130), each of said cell having an independently adjustable position and/or orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface of the cell to a region of a body and a controller (140). The controller is configured to register the respective ultrasound transducer cells by simultaneously operating at least two ultrasound transducer cells in a transmit mode in which the cells transmit distinguishable ultrasound signals and operating the remaining ultrasound transducer cells in a receive mode.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for refining a model of an anatomical structure in an image. A model for the anatomical structure in the image is acquired. The model comprises a plurality of control points, each control point corresponding to a feature in the anatomical structure. The model is placed in the image with respect to the anatomical structure. Based on a user input received to adjust the model in the image, a position of at least one of the plurality of control points is adjusted to alter a shape of the model to the anatomical structure in the image, wherein adjustment of the position of one or more of the at least one control points is restricted based on information relating to the at least one control point.

Abstract: A controller (260) for identifying rotation of an interventional medical device (252) includes a memory that stores instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller (260) to execute a process that includes receiving (S410) a first signal emitted from the interventional medical device (252) and corresponding to a first predetermined direction relative to the interventional interventional medical device (252) relative to a fixed rotation.

Abstract: The application discloses a computer-implemented method (100) of providing a model for estimating an anatomical body measurement value from at least one 2-D ultrasound image including a contour of the anatomical body, the method comprising providing (110) a set of 3-D ultrasound images of the anatomical body; and, for each of said 3-D images, determining (120) a ground truth value of the anatomical body measurement; generating (130) a set of 2-D ultrasound image planes each including a contour of the anatomical body, and for each of the 2-D ultrasound image planes, extrapolating (140) a value of the anatomical body measurement from at least one of an outline contour measurement and a cross-sectional measurement of the anatomical body in the 2-D ultrasound image plane; and generating (150) said model by training a machine-learning algorithm to generate an estimator function of the anatomical body measurement value from at least one of a determined outline contour measurement and a determined cross-sectional me