Abstract: The present invention relates to iso-centering an object of interest prior to computer tomography (CT) scanning for examination of a patient in a C-arm CT examination apparatus. In order to provide facilitated positioning and to overcome or at least minimize these drawbacks, a C-arm CT examination apparatus (10) for CT scanning for examination of a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises a patient support unit, an acquisition unit, a data processing and control unit, and a display unit. The patient support unit is configured to bed a patient, free of motion, on the patient support. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire scout images of the patient including the object of interest in a respective position of the apparatus having position parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining optimal C-arm angulation for heart valve positioning. In order to further improve the workflow in relation with the correct positioning of a valve prosthesis, it is described to provide (12) a 2D image of an aortic root of a heart of a patient, wherein the 2D image comprises three cusps of the heart in a visible and distinct manner. Further, 2D positions of the three cusps are indicated (14) in the 2D image. An analytical 3D model of the aortic cusp locations is provided (16), and the 3D positions of the three cusps are computed (18) based on the 2D positions and the analytical 3D model. Still further, an optimal C-arm angulation is computed (20) based on the computed 3D positions of the cusps, wherein, in the optimal C-arm angulation, the three cusps are aligned in a 2D image. The optimal C-arm angulation is then provided for further image acquisition steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a functional index for stenosis assessment of a vessel is provided. The apparatus comprises an input interface (40) and a processing unit (50). The input interface is configured to obtain image data (30) representing a two-dimensional representation of a vessel (6). The processing unit (50) is configured to determine a course of the vessel (6) and a width (w1, w2) of the vessel along its course in the image data and is further configured to determine the functional index for stenosis assessment of the vessel based on the width of the vessel in the image data.

Abstract: Vasculature modeling systems and methods are disclosed that generate an enhanced 3D model based on a combination of two dimensional, 2D, imaging data of a region of interest and 3D imaging data of the region of interest. A hemodynamic simulation is performed using the enhanced 3D model to derive at least one hemodynamic parameter based on the hemodynamic simulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities, an imaging system (1) for registration of different imaging modalities, a method for registration of different imaging modalities, a computer program element for controlling such device and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The imaging system (1) for registration of different imaging modalities comprises a first imaging modality (2), a second imaging modality (3), and an imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities. The imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities comprises a model provision unit (11), a first image data provision unit (12), a processing unit (13), a second image data provision unit (14), and a registration unit (15). The model provision unit (11) provides a cavity model of a visceral cavity.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for evaluating a physiological condition of a vessel are disclosed. In an embodiment, a medical system is disclosed. One embodiment of the medical system comprises a medical processing unit in communication with a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a radiographic imaging source configured to obtain radiographic images of at least one intravascular instrument positioned within a body lumen. The medical processing unit is configured to: receive the radiographic images obtained by the radiographic imaging source; detect, using the radiographic images, when the first pressure sensor is in a pre-determined orientation with respect to the second pressure sensor; and automatically initiate normalization of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor in response to detecting that the first pressure sensor is in the pre-determined orientation with respect to the second pressure sensor.

Abstract: In cardiac roadmapping, a “roadmap”, which is typically a representation of the vasculature of a patient obtained via previously acquired data from a CT scan, is overlaid on live intervention data, showing the position of an intervention device obtained using fluoroscopy. In this way, the intervention device may be tracked inside a realistic representation of the patient. The accurate registration of the fluoroscopic image to the roadmap data is an important step, otherwise the reported live position of the intervention device would not be shown at an accurate position inside the roadmap. Registration can be performed by the injection of contrast medium. In the case of cardiac roadmapping, the small vessel diameters mean that it is possible to register intervention devices directly. However, the behavior of intervention devices in larger vessels is difficult to predict, and so device-based registration is harder to achieve in such a context.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining optimal C-arm angulation for heart valve positioning. In order to further improve the workflow in relation with the correct positioning of a valve prosthesis, it is described to provide (12) a 2D image of an aortic root of a heart of a patient, wherein the 2D image comprises three cusps of the heart in a visible and distinct manner. Further, 2D positions of the three cusps are indicated (14) in the 2D image. An analytical 3D model of the aortic cusp locations is provided (16), and the 3D positions of the three cusps are computed (18) based on the 2D positions and the analytical 3D model. Still further, an optimal C-arm angulation is computed (20) based on the computed 3D positions of the cusps, wherein, in the optimal C-arm angulation, the three cusps are aligned in a 2D image. The optimal C-arm angulation is then provided for further image acquisition steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface (300) for measuring an object viewed in an image computed from image data, the user interface comprising an image unit (310) for visualizing the image data in the image, a deployment unit (320) for deploying a caliper (21) in an image data space, a scaling unit (330) for scaling the caliper (21) by a scaling factor in a direction in the image data space, a translation unit (340) for translating the caliper (21) in the image data space, and a caliper unit (350) for visualizing the caliper (21) in the image, wherein the caliper (21) comprises a knot for measuring the object, and wherein the object is measured based on the scaling factor. The caliper (21) comprising the knot, which determines the shape of the caliper (21), is a simple reference object of known geometry and size.

Abstract: A system for visualizing a flow within a volume of a 3-dimensional (3-D) image includes a first transfer unit for applying a first transfer function, which assigns a renderable property to each location of a first plurality of locations within the volume based on a flow pattern assigned to the location. A second transfer unit is provided for applying a second transfer function, which assigns a renderable property to each location of a second plurality of locations within the volume based on a value of the 3-D image assigned to the location. Further, the system also includes a mixing unit for computing a 2-dimensional (2-D) image based on the renderable property assigned to each location of the first plurality of locations and on the renderable property assigned to each location of the second plurality of locations, where the 2-D image visualizes the flow pattern and the 3-D image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities, an imaging system (1) for registration of different imaging modalities, a method for registration of different imaging modalities, a computer program element for controlling such device and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The imaging system (1) for registration of different imaging modalities comprises a first imaging modality (2), a second imaging modality (3), and an imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities. The imaging device (10) for registration of different imaging modalities comprises a model provision unit (11), a first image data provision unit (12), a processing unit (13), a second image data provision unit (14), and a registration unit (15). The model provision unit (11) provides a cavity model of a visceral cavity. The first showing a region of interest of a patient by the first imaging modality (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging apparatus for imaging a first object (10) like a tip of a catheter within a second object being, for instance, a vascular structure of a person. A three-dimensional representation of the second object including a representation of a surface (23) of the second object and the position of the first object relative to the position of the second object are provided, and a projection (22) of the first object onto the representation of the surface of the second object is determined and shown to a user like a physician on a display. The three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object is thereby shown in a way that is very native for the user, i.e. a visualization can be provided, which allows the user to easily and accurately grasp the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: View parameter establishing means are arranged for establishing a first view parameter value based on a first object parameter value. View visualization means are arranged for visualizing the view of the image in accordance with the first view parameter value. Interaction means are arranged for enabling a user to indicate a point in the view. Object parameter updating means are arranged for updating the object parameter based on the point to obtain a second object parameter value. The view parameter establishing means is arranged for updating the view parameter based on the second object parameter value to obtain a second view parameter value. The view visualization means is arranged for sequentially visualizing a view of the image in accordance with an intermediate view parameter value between the first view and the second view parameter values, and a view of the image in accordance with the second view parameter value.

Abstract: A system for performing vessel analysis uses display means (1) for displaying a three-dimensional image representing at least a tubular structure. Indicating means (2) are used for enabling a user to indicate a position on a vessel of the tubular structure, for obtaining an indicated position. Identifying means (3) are used for identifying a portion of the tubular structure situated around the indicated position, including any bifurcations, and extending up to a predetermined distance measure from the indicated position, for obtaining an identified portion. The display means (1) is also used for displaying a graphical annotation in the displayed three-dimensional image, indicative of the identified portion of the tubular structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (SYS) for visualizing a flow within a volume of a 3-dimensional (3-D) image, the system comprising a first transfer unit (U30) for applying a first transfer function, which assigns a renderable property to each location of a first plurality of locations within the volume, on the basis of a flow pattern assigned to said location; a second transfer unit (U40) for applying a second transfer function, which assigns a renderable property to each location of a second plurality of locations within the volume, on the basis of a value of the 3-D image assigned to said location; and a mixing unit (U50) for computing a 2-D image based on the renderable property assigned to each location of the first plurality of locations and on the renderable property assigned to each location of the second plurality of locations, wherein the 2-D image visualizes the flow pattern and the 3-D image.

Abstract: The invention relates to visualization of medical images, and in embodiments to the visualization of the left ventricle of the human heart or other organs. A method of visualizing one or more sets of voxel data is disclosed. The method comprising: providing one or more sets of voxel data, providing and segmenting the voxel data in accordance with a segment model. The segmented voxel data is reformatted to fit a reference shape (20) being defined by at least an inner (22) reference surface and an outer (23) reference surface. The reformatted voxel data is mapped to a target shape being defined by at least a first (29) target surface and a second (200) target surface. The target shape is moreover visualized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for determining a feedback on a three-dimensional location of a pointer in a three-dimensional region of image data, the system comprising: a display unit (110) for computing a view of the three-dimensional region for displaying on a display; a pointer unit (115) for computing a two-dimensional location of the pointer on the view of the three-dimensional region, based on a pointer location input; a location unit (120) for computing a three-dimensional location in the three-dimensional region, based on a two-dimensional location on the view of the three-dimensional region; and a shadow unit (125) for determining a set of two-dimensional locations for displaying a shadow on the view of the three-dimensional region, wherein the set of two-dimensional locations for displaying the shadow comprises the two-dimensional location of the pointer on the view of the three-dimensional region, and wherein a set of three-dimensional locations, computed based on the set of two-dimensio

Abstract: A system for visualizing a view (1) of a scene (2) comprising a three- dimensional image and an object (3) is provided. View parameter establishing means (5) are arranged for establishing a first view parameter value based on a first object parameter value. View visualization means (6) are arranged for visualizing the view (1) of the image in accordance with the first view parameter value. Interaction means (7) are arranged for enabling a user (9) to indicate a point (12) in the view (1). Object parameter updating means (8) are arranged for updating the object parameter (11) based on the point (12) to obtain a second object parameter value. The view parameter establishing means (5) is arranged for updating the view parameter (10) based on the second object parameter value to obtain a second view parameter value.

Abstract: A system for performing vessel analysis uses display means (1) for displaying a three-dimensional image representing at least a tubular structure. Indicating means (2) are used for enabling a user to indicate a position on a vessel of the tubular structure, for obtaining an indicated position. Identifying means (3) are used for identifying a portion of the tubular structure situated around the indicated position, including any bifurcations, and extending up to a predetermined distance measure from the indicated position, for obtaining an identified portion. The display means (1) is also used for displaying a graphical annotation in the displayed three-dimensional image, indicative of the identified portion of the tubular structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface (300) for measuring an object viewed in an image computed from image data, the user interface comprising an image unit (310) for visualizing the image data in the image, a deployment unit (320) for deploying a caliper (21) in an image data space, a scaling unit (330) for scaling the caliper (21) by a scaling factor in a direction in the image data space, a translation unit (340) for translating the caliper (21) in the image data space, and a caliper unit (350) for visualizing the caliper (21) in the image, wherein the caliper (21) comprises a knot for measuring the object, and wherein the object is measured based on the scaling factor. The caliper (21) comprising the knot, which determines the shape of the caliper (21), is a simple reference object of known geometry and size.