Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of the position of a catheter in a vascular system (8). In this, the measured positions (r1, r2) of two magnetic localizers at the tip of a catheter are displaced by correction vectors (k1, k2) while optimizing a quality dimension. The quality dimension includes a component taking account both of the deviation of the measured positions (r1, r2) from the vascular layout and of the deviation of the associated orientation (r2?r1) from the orientation of the vascular layout according to a vascular map. In addition, the quality dimension may include components which evaluate the measured shape of the catheter compared to the vascular map. An additional correction step can further ensure that the corrected positions (r1?, r2?) correspond to the preset fixed distance (d) of the localizers (4, 5).

Abstract: A system for planning radiation treatment therapy is provided. An optical sensor device is implanted within or in close proximity to a risk region within the patient during a radiation delivery. The sensor device optically monitors the orientation of the risk region, and the radiation dosage received by the risk region, during the radiation delivery. That information may be used as appropriate to modify an on-going radiation delivery plan in real time while the plan is being implemented.

Abstract: A system for generating information relating to a course of a procedure is described. A current position determiner (1) is arranged for determining a current position in a guideline (11), the current position corresponding to a status of a procedure in respect of a subject. A pathway generator (2) is arranged for generating a pathway (13) through the guideline (11), indicative of a course of the procedure. A narrative generator (3) is arranged for generating a narrative (14) describing at least part of the pathway (13) in a natural language. The narrative (14) generated by the narrative generator (3) describes an imaginary subject undergoing a similar procedure as the subject. A probability unit (4) is arranged for establishing a probability associated with an aspect of the pathway (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to positioning of an X-ray source. In order to provide an improved user interface for facilitating the X-ray imaging positioning, a transportable handheld planning device (10) for visualizing projected X-ray radiation for medical X-ray imaging is provided, that comprises a first structure (12) for representing a central axis (14) of a projected X-ray radiation (16), and a second structure (18) for representing a cross-sectional area (20) of the projected X-ray radiation. The first structure is manually positionable by a user in relation to an object to be examined. The second structure is adjustable by a user such that the size and proportions of the cross-sectional area are adjustable in relation to the object to be examined. Further, a current spatial position of the first structure and a current size and proportions of the cross-sectional area are detectable by a measurement arrangement (22).

Abstract: A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input (12) and a processing unit (15). The input being provided for receiving multiple CT images (71) of a lung, each CT image (71) corresponding to one phase of at least two different phases in a respiratory cycle. The processing unit (15) being configured to compare CT images (71) corresponding to different phases in the respiratory cycle for determining a deformation vector field for each phase, to generate for each phase a ventilation image (72) based on the corresponding deformation vector field, to spatially align the ventilation images (72), and to generate for at least one common position (62) in each one of the aligned ventilation images (72), a function (81) of a time course of a ventilation value for said common position (62), each ventilation value in the function (81) being based on the deformation vector fields corresponding to the aligned ventilation images (73).

Abstract: An oncology monitoring system comprises: an image analysis module (42, 44) configured to perform an oncological monitoring operation based on images of a subject, for example acquired by positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT); and a clinical guideline support module (10). The clinical guideline support module is configured to: display a graphical flow diagram (GFD) of a clinical therapy protocol for treating the subject comprising graphical blocks (B0, B1 B2, B3, B4, B5, B21, B211, B22, B221, B222, B223, B23, B231, B232) representing therapeutic or monitoring operations of the clinical therapy protocol including at least one monitoring operation performed by the image analysis module; annotate a graphical block of the graphical flow diagram with subject-specific information pertaining to a therapeutic or monitoring operation represented by the graphical block; and display an annotation (POP) of a graphical block (B211) responsive to selection of the graphical block by a user.

Abstract: A tracking system for a target anatomy of a patient can include a medical device having a body (281) having a distal end (290) and at least one channel (292) formed therein, where the body is adapted for insertion through an anatomy (105) to reach a target area (430); an accelerometer (185) connected to the body and positioned in proximity to the distal end; an imaging device (295) operably coupled with the body; and a light source (297) operably coupled with the body, where the accelerometer is in communication with a remote processor (120) for transmitting acceleration data thereto, where the imaging device is in communication with the remote processor for transmitting real-time images thereto, and where an orientation of the medical device with respect to the anatomy is determined by the processor based on the acceleration data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a process, with which images of different imaging methods can be registered, for example preoperatively obtained 3D X-ray images (A) and intra operatively obtained ultrasound images (B). First transformed images (A?,B?) are then generated in a data processing device (10), which are aligned to each other with regard to the peculiarities of each imaging method. Particularly from the three dimensional CT-image (A), can be generated a two dimensional image (A?) which adheres to the characteristic means of representation of an ultrasound system, while shaded areas behind bones and/or gas-filled volumes can be blended out. With a feature-based registration of the transformed images (A?, B?) errors are avoided, which are traced back to artifacts and peculiarities of the respective imaging methods.

Abstract: A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input (12) and a processing unit (15). The input being provided for receiving multiple CT images (71) of a lung, each CT image (71) corresponding to one phase of at least two different phases in a respiratory cycle. The processing unit (15) being configured to compare CT images (71) corresponding to different phases in the respiratory cycle for determining a deformation vector field for each phase, to generate for each phase a ventilation image (72) based on the corresponding deformation vector field, to spatially align the ventilation images (72), and to generate for at least one common position (62) in each one of the aligned ventilation images (72), a function (81) of a time course of a ventilation value for said common position (62), each ventilation value in the function (81) being based on the deformation vector fields corresponding to the aligned ventilation images (73).

Abstract: A therapy treatment response simulator includes a modeler (202) that generates a model of a structure of an object or subject based on information about the object or subject and a predictor (204) that generates a prediction indicative of how the structure is likely to respond to treatment based on the model and a therapy treatment plan. In another aspect, a system includes performing a patient state determining in silico simulation for a patient using a candidate set of parameters corresponding to another patient and producing a first signal indicative of a predicted state of the patient, and generating a second signal indicative of whether the candidate set of parameters are suitable for the patient based on a known state of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and an imaging method for visualizing areas (2) in a moving environment within the body of a patient (1), wherein the position of one or more markers, which are connected to an interventional device (4), is determined and used to determine the position of the areas (2) and/or of the interventional device (4) in images (6) which are recorded of the areas (2) and of their environment. According to the invention, the markers used are active locators which independently of the method used to record the images (6) generate data or signals for determining their position. Such an imaging method, which preferably uses electromagnetic locators, allows a considerably more robust representation of the visualized areas (2), with elimination of movements, than is possible using passive markers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the intravascular or intracardial navigation of a catheter (5). Using an X-ray fluoroscopy device (1), firstly an image database of 2D images is generated, where at the same time as each 2D image (I) is taken the associated heartbeat phase is recorded using an ECG (8). During the catheter intervention, the position of the catheter (5) is measured by means of a position measurement unit (6), and at the same time the ECG and preferably also a signal that is dependent on the breathing movement are recorded. The current spatial position of the catheter (5) that is measured is then assigned the 2D image of the image database which corresponds in terms of the heartbeat phase and also possibly in terms of the breathing phase, on which image the position of the catheter can be represented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of the position of a catheter in a vascular system (8). In this, the measured positions (r1, r2) of two magnetic localizers at the tip of a catheter are displaced by correction vectors (k1, k2) while optimizing a quality dimension. The quality dimension includes a component taking account both of the deviation of the measured positions (r1, r2) from the vascular layout and of the deviation of the associated orientation (r2?r1) from the orientation of the vascular layout according to a vascular map. In addition, the quality dimension may include components which evaluate the measured shape of the catheter compared to the vascular map. An additional correction step can further ensure that the corrected positions (r1?, r2?) correspond to the preset fixed distance (d) of the localizers (4, 5).

Abstract: In the field of airport baggage inspection, a multi-level screening procedure is used. When a first level screening system (18) detects a “suspicious region” inside a bag, it is transferred to a next level system (2) where the bag gets rescanned. According to the present invention, a device/method is provided for finding and tracking the suspicious region inside the baggage which allows to reduce the area to be rescanned significantly. For this purpose, the image from the first level system together with the position of the suspicious region within the image is transferred from the first level system to the second level system. On arrival of the bag at the second level (21), a simple X-ray transmission image is measured using an additional source/detector system (6). The two images are then rigidly registered in order to exactly determine the suspicious region in the second level scanner system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and an imaging method for visualizing areas (2) in a moving environment within the body of a patient (1), wherein the position of one or more markers, which are connected to an interventional device (4), is determined and used to determine the position of the areas (2) and/or of the interventional device (4) in images (6) which are recorded of the areas (2) and of their environment. According to the invention, the markers used are active locators which independently of the method used to record the images (6) generate data or signals for determining their position. Such an imaging method, which preferably uses electromagnetic locators, allows a considerably more robust representation of the visualized areas (2), with elimination of movements, than is possible using passive markers.

Abstract: In the field of airport baggage inspection, a multi-level screening procedure is used. When a first level screening system (18) detects a “suspicious region” inside a bag, it is transferred to a next level system (2) where the bag gets rescanned. According to the present invention, a device/method is provided for finding and tracking the suspicious region inside the baggage which allows to reduce the area to be rescanned significantly. For this purpose, the image from the first level system together with the position of the suspicious region within the image is transferred from the first level system to the second level system. On arrival of the bag at the second level (21), a simple X-ray transmission image is measured using an additional source/detector system (6). The two images are then rigidly registered in order to exactly determine the suspicious region in the second level scanner system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the intravascular or intracardial navigation of a catheter (5). Using an X-ray fluoroscopy device (1), firstly an image database of 2D images is generated, where at the same time as each 2D image (I) is taken the associated heartbeat phase is recorded using an ECG (8). During the catheter intervention, the position of the catheter (5) is measured by means of a position measurement unit (6), and at the same time the ECG and preferably also a signal that is dependent on the breathing movement are recorded. The current spatial position of the catheter (5) that is measured is then assigned the 2D image of the image database which corresponds in terms of the heartbeat phase and also possibly in terms of the breathing phase, on which image the position of the catheter can be represented.

Abstract: A description is given of a method and a device for the calibration of an image pick-up device which is sensitive to magnetic fields and for the imaging by means of such an image pick-up device. The image pick-up device is notably an image intensifier in X-ray systems such as, for example, systems provided with a C-arm. Calibration is performed essentially by forming and storing a look-up table whereby a plurality of magnetic field data acting on the image pick-up device is associated with calibration data required for correcting the distortions caused thereby. During imaging, the magnetic field data acting on the image pick-up device during the formation of an image is measured and the calibration data associated with this magnetic field data in the table is read out and used for the correction of the acquired image.

Abstract: A description is given of a method and a device for the calibration of an image pick-up device which is sensitive to gravity. Also described are a method and a device for imaging by means of such an image pick-up device; they are used in particular in X-ray systems, for example, systems provided with a C-arm. Calibration is performed essentially by forming and storing a look-up table whereby the calibration data required for the correction of distortions due to the supporting construction is associated with a plurality of position data of the supporting construction. During imaging the direction of the force of gravity relative to the supporting construction is measured; therefrom the position data is calculated and the calibration data associated with this data in the table is read out and used for the correction of the acquired image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling the localization of objects, for example surgical instruments, in interventional radiology. The method utilizes the known geometrical shape of the object to be localized in order to simulate projections therefrom for comparison with real projection images. Optimum correspondence between simulation and real image yields the desired object position and object orientation. The invention is based on digital image processing and can be used in conjunction with customary radiological diagnostic apparatus such as C-arm fluoroscopy apparatus, computed tomography apparatus or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. Objects to be localized can be provided with markers whose spatial position yields an unambiguous projection image.