Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method includes providing a digital representation of the shape of a surface or boundary of an anatomic region or organ; acquiring an ultrasound image by ultrasound scanning the anatomic region or organ; and combining the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary of the anatomic region or organ by registering the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary and the ultrasound image as a function of the difference in position of selected reference points on the digital representation of the surface or boundary and on the ultrasound image, the position of the reference points on the ultrasound image being determined by tracking the probe position at the reference points at the anatomic region or organ of a real body and in a spatial reference system, in which the anatomic region or the organ of the real body is placed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method includes providing a digital representation of the shape of a surface or boundary of an anatomic region or organ; acquiring an ultrasound image by ultrasound scanning the anatomic region or organ; and combining the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary of the anatomic region or organ by registering the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary and the ultrasound image as a function of the difference in position of selected reference points on the digital representation of the surface or boundary and on the ultrasound image, the position of the reference points on the ultrasound image being determined by tracking the probe position at the reference points at the anatomic region or organ of a real body and in a spatial reference system, in which the anatomic region or the organ of the real body is placed.

Abstract: Provided is a method and arrangement for registering first image data of a first stream with second image data of a second stream. The image data include image information about at least one organ, wherein a shape and/or position of the organ is cyclically changing: Each of the streams include a series of images of the at least one organ at a plurality of different discrete stages of the cyclic change so that each image corresponds to one of the discrete stages. A phase variable defines the stage of the cyclic change and a phase value of the phase variable is assigned to each image within each stream, thereby defining the discrete stage represented by the image. A registration is determined for a pair of images selected by choosing or interpolating images from the first stream and second stream to which a same phase value is assigned.

Abstract: Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for image-assisted navigation, wherein an imaging specification for imaging a point in a three-dimensional system of coordinates in a point in a two-dimensional system of coordinates is determined, wherein a location of the imaging device is detected, and wherein the location of the imaging device is displayed in the two-dimensional reference image (RB).

Abstract: Provided is a method and arrangement for registering first image data of a first stream with second image data of a second stream. The image data include image information about at least one organ, wherein a shape and/or position of the organ is cyclically changing: Each of the streams include a series of images of the at least one organ at a plurality of different discrete stages of the cyclic change so that each image corresponds to one of the discrete stages. A phase variable defines the stage of the cyclic change and a phase value of the phase variable is assigned to each image within each stream, thereby defining the discrete stage represented by the image. A registration is determined for a pair of images selected by choosing or interpolating images from the first stream and second stream to which a same phase value is assigned.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for image-assisted navigation, wherein an imaging specification for imaging a point in a three-dimensional system of coordinates in a point in a two-dimensional system of coordinates is determined, wherein a location of the imaging device is detected, and wherein the location of the imaging device is displayed in the two-dimensional reference image (RB).

Abstract: The invention relates to a real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body using hollow needles. According to embodiments of the invention, the system may include a processing means processing means-configured to perform a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm, with respect to one or more specific organs within the pre-selected anatomical portion and with respect to the needles, for converting the image data obtained with an imaging means into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion, using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy-based genetic optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound image acquisition, generation and display includes the steps of: acquiring ultrasound image data corresponding to an anatomic region being examined using an ultrasound probe; generating an ultrasound image based on the image data; displaying the image on a display; generating a map of the outer surface of the anatomic region; detecting the position of the probe during image data acquisition; identifying on the map the point corresponding to the detected position of the probe; and displaying the map in which such point is marked, at the same time as the ultrasound image is displayed.

Abstract: Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body using hollow needles. According to embodiments of the invention, the system may include a processing means processing means-configured to perform a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm, with respect to one or more specific organs within the pre-selected anatomical portion and with respect to the needles, for converting the image data obtained with an imaging means into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion, using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy-based genetic optimization algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body using hollow needles. According to embodiments of the invention, the system may include a processing means processing means-configured to perform a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm, with respect to one or more specific organs within the pre-selected anatomical portion and with respect to the needles, for converting the image data obtained with an imaging means into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion, using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy-based genetic optimization algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body using hollow needles. According to embodiments of the invention, the system may include a processing means processing means-configured to perform a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm, with respect to one or more specific organs within the pre-selected anatomical portion and with respect to the needles, for converting the image data obtained with an imaging means into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion, using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy-based genetic optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying images of first and second image data in which geometry data is transferred from an ultrasound imaging detector to an image combination device in addition to first image data to reduce the need for calibration and registration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body using hollow needles. According to embodiments of the invention, the system may include a processing means processing means-configured to perform a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm, with respect to one or more specific organs within the pre-selected anatomical portion and with respect to the needles, for converting the image data obtained with an imaging means into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion, using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy-based genetic optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body. A processor is provided with a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm for at least the specific organs within the anatomical portion and the needles. The processor converts the image data into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy based genetic optimization algorithm. The processor determines in real time the optimal number and position of the hollow needles, the position of the energy emitting source within each hollow needle and the dwell times of the energy emitting source at each position. For post planning purposes, the processor determines, based on three-dimensional image information in real time, the real needle positions and the dwell times of the energy emitting source for each position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of registering ultrasound image data of an object and second image data of the object, wherein the second image data are three-dimensional (3-D) image data. Sets (first sets IUS) of the ultrasound image data are obtained, wherein each set of ultrasound image data consists of ultrasound image data of locations within a single plane of a coordinate system of the ultrasound image data. Sets (second sets IEX) of 2-D image data from the second image data are extracted, wherein each set of 2-D image data consists of image data of locations within a single cut plane of a coordinate system of the second image data (unit 41). One of the first sets (IUS) is compared with one of the second sets (IEX) and a measure of similarity between the first set (IUS) and the second set (IEX) is automatically generated (unit 42). The similarity is optimised by varying the first set (IUS) and/or the second set (IEX) to be compared (unit 43).

Abstract: A method and arrangement for setting a relative position of a radiation device and a patient. The invention relates to the use of radiation therapy for the targeted, selective destruction of tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of combining first and second image data of an object (3), wherein the first image data of the object (3) are repeatedly generated by an ultrasound detector (1), wherein the second image data of the object (3) are generated separately, for example the second image data have been recorded earlier by a computer tomography, a magnetic resonance or a positron emission tomography imaging device, wherein the first image data are transferred from the ultrasound detector (1) to a combination device (5) and wherein the combination device (5) is adapted to combine the first and second image data of the object (3). Geometry data is transferred in addition to the first image data from the ultrasound detector (1) to the combination device (5), wherein the geometry data comprise information for establishing a link between the geometry of the first image data and the geometry of the second image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of registering ultrasound image data of an object and second image data of the object, wherein the second image data are three-dimensional (3-D) image data. Sets (first sets IUS) of the ultrasound image data are obtained, wherein each set of ultrasound image data consists of ultrasound image data of locations within a single plane of a coordinate system of the ultrasound image data. Sets (second sets IEX) of 2-D image data from the second image data are extracted, wherein each set of 2-D image data consists of image data of locations within a single cut plane of a coordinate system of the second image data (unit 41). One of the first sets (IUS) is compared with one of the second sets (IEX) and a measure of similarity between the first set (IUS) and the second set (IEX) is automatically generated (unit 42). The similarity is optimised by varying the first set (IUS) and/or the second set (IEX) to be compared (unit 43).