Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound image processing apparatus (5) comprising an image processor arrangement (50) adapted to receive a first sequence (100?) of ultrasound images (150) imaging an anatomical feature of interest (151) during a first full cardiac cycle in the absence of an invasive medical device (15) in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle; receive a further sequence (100) of ultrasound images (150) imaging the anatomical feature of interest (151) during a further full cardiac cycle in the presence of the invasive medical device (15) in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle said invasive medical device (15) at least partially obscuring the anatomical feature of interest, and for each ultrasound image of the further sequence: track the location of the invasive medical device in the ultrasound image; isolate the invasive medical device from the ultrasound image; and insert the

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system (10) comprising a first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) configured to acquire first ultrasound data having a first field of view; a second invasive ultrasound probe (16) configured to acquire second ultrasound data having a second field of view which is different from the first field of view; a tracking unit (30) configured to determine tracking data comprising a position and orientation of the first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) relative to the second invasive ultrasound probe (16); and a registration unit (32) configured to register the second field of view into the first field of view based on the tracking data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional instrument like a catheter comprising an ultrasound unit (41) and a rotation unit (5) for rotating the ultrasound unit, wherein the rotation unit comprises an actuation element (8) being an electroactive polymer or a one-way shape memory alloy for actuating the rotation of the ultrasound unit. Since the rotation unit comprises, as an actuation element for actuating the rotation of the ultrasound unit, an electroactive polymer or a one-way shape memory alloy, the rotation unit with the actuation element can be very compact and small.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing an electrical cardiac activity map by means of electrical signals acquired by a plurality of surface electrodes on an outer surface of a living being (6). A cardiac structure position determination unit (12) determines a position of a cardiac structure, in particular, of the epicardial surface, based on provided projection images, wherein an anatomical cardiac model is adapted to the projection images. The projection images may be provided by an x-ray C-arm system (2). An electrical activity map determination unit (13) determines the electrical activity map at the cardiac structure based on the electrical signals, the positions of the plurality of surface electrodes also determined from the projection images, and the determined position of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a position of a first object (14) within a second object (13), wherein the first object (14) contacts the second object (13) at a contact region. The apparatus (1) comprises a provision unit (2) for providing a three-dimensional model (20) of the second object (13). A projection unit (5, 6, 7, 21) generates a two-dimensional projection image (26) of the first object (14) and of the second object (13), and a registration unit (8) registers the three-dimensional model (20) with the two-dimensional projection image (26). A determination unit (9) determines the position of the contact region from the position of the first object (14) on the two-dimensional projection image (26) and the registered three-dimensional model (20) of the second object (13), wherein the position of the contact region is the position of the first object (14) within the second object (13).

Abstract: A system and method to support exploring the interior of an object. The system 100, 200 includes a graphical user interface generator (GG) to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes an indicator (NC) of a current position of an interventional tool (IT) inside an object (OB). There is also an exploratory indictor (PC) to indicate material composition and/or type that surrounds the tool's tip (TP) at a current position in the object (OB). The exploratory indicator (PC) includes a pointer element for a current reading against a dial element for a range of possible values.

Abstract: An ultrasound device (10) is disclosed comprising a transducer arrangement (110) and an acoustically transmissive window (150) over said arrangement, said window comprising an elastomer layer (153) having conductive particles dispersed in the elastomer, the elastomer layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity, the ultrasound device further comprising an electrode arrangement (160) coupled to said elastomer layer and adapted to measure said pressure-sensitive conductivity. An ultrasound system and arrangement including such an ultrasound device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method to support exploring the interior of an object. The system 100, 200 includes a graphical user interface generator (GG) to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes an indicator (NC) of a current position of an interventional tool (IT) inside an object (OB). There is also an exploratory indictor (PC) to indicate material composition and/or type that surrounds the tool's tip (TP) at a current position in the object (OB). The exploratory indicator (PC) includes a pointer element for a current reading against a dial element for a range of possible values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining electrical characteristics like electrical potentials on a surface of a heart (5). An esophageal electrode structure (6) measures electrical characteristics within an esophagus and a position determination unit (34) determines the position of the esophageal electrode structure within the esophagus and the position of the surface of the heart (5). The electrical characteristics on the surface of the heart (5) are then determined based on the measured electrical characteristics and based on the determined positions of the esophageal electrode structure (6) and the surface of the heart (5). Since for measuring the electrical characteristics the esophageal electrode structure (6) is used, the electrical characteristics can be measured within the esophagus and thus close to the surface of the heart (5), thereby allowing for an improved accuracy of determining the electrical characteristics on the surface of the heart (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing an electrical cardiac activity map by means of electrical signals acquired by a plurality of surface electrodes on an outer surface of a living being (6). A cardiac structure position determination unit (12) determines a position of a cardiac structure, in particular, of the epicardial surface, based on provided projection images, wherein an anatomical cardiac model is adapted to the projection images. The projection images may be provided by an x-ray C-arm system (2). An electrical activity map determination unit (13) determines the electrical activity map at the cardiac structure based on the electrical signals, the positions of the plurality of surface electrodes also determined from the projection images, and the determined position of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus for applying energy to an object. A plurality of energy application elements (4) applies energy to the object at different locations and at least one ultrasound element (18) generates an ultrasound signal being indicative of a property of the object at the different locations, wherein at least one energy application element is individually controlled depending on an energy application influence, in particular, an ablation depth, determined for the location at which the at least one energy application element applies energy from the ultrasound signal. Thus, at least one local control point for applying energy to the object is provided, thereby improving the control of applying energy to the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a position of a first object (14) within a second object (13), wherein the first object (14) contacts the second object (13) at a contact region. The apparatus (1) comprises a provision unit (2) for providing a three-dimensional model (20) of the second object (13). A projection unit (5, 6, 7, 21) generates a two-dimensional projection image (26) of the first object (14) and of the second object (13), and a registration unit (8) registers the three-dimensional model (20) with the two-dimensional projection image (26). A determination unit (9) determines the position of the contact region from the position of the first object (14) on the two-dimensional projection image (26) and the registered three-dimensional model (20) of the second object (13), wherein the position of the contact region is the position of the first object (14) within the second object (13).