Abstract: A method for localization and identification of a structure in a projection image with a system having a known system geometry, includes acquiring a preoperative computer-tomography or CT image of a structure, preprocessing the CT-image to a volume image, acquiring an intraoperative two dimensional or 2D X-ray image, preprocessing the 2D X-ray image to a fix image, estimating an approximate pose of the structure, calculating a digitally reconstructed radiograph or DRR using the volume image, the estimated pose and the system geometry, and calculating a correlation between the generated DRR and the fix image, with a correlation value representing matching between the generated DRR and the fix image. The method significantly decreases the number of wrong-level surgeries and is independent of the surgeon's ability to localize and/or identify a target level in a body.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a modular phantom that enables quantitative assessment of imaging performance (e.g., spatial resolution, image uniformity, image noise, contrast to noise ratio, cone-beam artifact) and dosimetry in cone-beam computed tomography (CT). The modular phantom includes one or more modules for various imaging performance tests that may be rearranged in the phantom to accommodate the design of various cone-beam CT imaging systems. The modular phantom includes one or more of a cone-beam module, an angled edge module, or a line spread module. The phantom may be inserted into a larger sleeve and be used to assess imaging performance and dosimetry in whole body CT imaging systems.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a transducer design for minimally invasive focused ultrasound (MIFU). The present invention allows flexible control of a focused ultrasound wave using mechanical and electrical control. The transducer array is implemented on a flexible substrate that can be mechanically controlled through two or more physical configurations. As with conventional electronic “steering,” the transducer elements can be controlled electronically to provide adjustable focus of the ultrasound. The combination of mechanical and electronic control provides the device a very flexible method for delivering focused ultrasound. The invention also includes a design that allows integration of ultrasound and endoscopic image guidance. The ultrasound guidance includes anatomical visualization and functional imaging (e.g. blood flow and coagulation of vasculature). The ultrasound imaging transducer is used for thermometry within the region of interest for treatment.

Abstract: A method of generating a preview of at least one low-dose x-ray image includes the followings steps: obtaining an initial volumetric representation of a patient from an x-ray device; creating at least one x-ray image projection from the initial volumetric representation; injecting correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections; and processing the noise-injected x-ray image projections to create at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray for showing to a user. There are also described a device for generating at least one preview of a low-dose x-ray image, a corresponding imaging system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel tomographic reconstruction framework that explicitly models the covariance of the measurements in the forward model using a mean measurement model and a noise model. This more accurate model can result in improved image quality, increased spatial resolution, and enhanced detectability—in particular, for imaging scenarios where there are features on the order of the correlation length in the projection data. Applications where these methods might have particular benefit include high resolution CBCT applications as in CBCT mammography (where very fine calcifications are difficult to resolve due to detector blur and correlation), musculoskeletal imaging (where fine bone details are important to the imaging task), or in temporal bone imaging where the fine detail structures of the inner ear are also difficult to resolve with standard imaging techniques.

Abstract: A method, an imaging apparatus and a computer readable medium are enabled for automatically registering medical images. The imaging apparatus may be an amended C-arm. The image acquisition apparatus has a primary x-ray source and at least one auxiliary x-ray source, a detector for receiving radiation of the primary and auxiliary x-ray source, and an interface to a registration unit. The registration unit computes a 3D/2D registration of a provided 3D image and at least two acquired 2D images. An output interface is configured to provide an output and to display the registered images on a monitor.

Abstract: A method of generating a preview of at least one low-dose x-ray image includes the followings steps: obtaining an initial volumetric representation of a patient from an x-ray device; creating at least one x-ray image projection from the initial volumetric representation; injecting correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections; and processing the noise-injected x-ray image projections to create at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray for showing to a user. There are also described a device for generating at least one preview of a low-dose x-ray image, a corresponding imaging system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel tomographic reconstruction framework that explicitly models the covariance of the measurements in the forward model using a mean measurement model and a noise model. This more accurate model can result in improved image quality, increased spatial resolution, and enhanced detectability—in particular, for imaging scenarios where there are features on the order of the correlation length in the projection data. Applications where these methods might have particular benefit include high resolution CBCT applications as in CBCT mammography (where very fine calcifications are difficult to resolve due to detector blur and correlation), musculoskeletal imaging (where fine bone details are important to the imaging task), or in temporal bone imaging where the fine detail structures of the inner ear are also difficult to resolve with standard imaging techniques.

Abstract: A method of 3D-2D registration for medical imaging includes the following steps: providing a first input interface for acquiring a three-dimensional image; providing a second input interface for acquiring a fixed two-dimensional image using an imaging system that includes a source and a detector and that has an unknown source-detector geometry; initializing image transformation parameters and source-detector geometry parameters; generating a reconstructed two-dimensional image from the three-dimensional image using the image transformation parameters and the source-detector geometry parameters; determining an image similarity metric between the fixed two-dimensional image and the reconstructed two-dimensional image; and updating the image transformation parameters and the source-detector geometry parameters using the image similarity metric, and a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable medium and apparatus.

Abstract: A method, an imaging apparatus and a computer readable medium are enabled for automatically registering medical images. The imaging apparatus may be an amended C-arm. The image acquisition apparatus has a primary x-ray source and at least one auxiliary x-ray source, a detector for receiving radiation of the primary and auxiliary x-ray source, and an interface to a registration unit. The registration unit computes a 3D/2D registration of a provided 3D image and at least two acquired 2D images. An output interface is configured to provide an output and to display the registered images on a monitor.

Abstract: A method of 3D-2D registration for medical imaging includes the following steps: providing a first input interface for acquiring a three-dimensional image; providing a second input interface for acquiring a fixed two-dimensional image using an imaging system that includes a source and a detector and that has an unknown source-detector geometry; initializing image transformation parameters and source-detector geometry parameters; generating a reconstructed two-dimensional image from the three-dimensional image using the image transformation parameters and the source-detector geometry parameters; determining an image similarity metric between the fixed two-dimensional image and the reconstructed two-dimensional image; and updating the image transformation parameters and the source-detector geometry parameters using the image similarity metric, and a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable medium and apparatus.

Abstract: A medical imaging system and a method electromagnetically track a position of structures with the medical imaging system and a C-arm arrangement. The medical imaging system contains a C-arm, a gantry, and at least one electromagnetic field generator assembly with at least one electromagnetic field generator which interacts with an electromagnetic sensor from receiving the electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, the electromagnetic sensor is positioned within a region of surgical interest in a patient. The electromagnetic field generator is directly embedded into the C-arm.

Abstract: A method for localization and identification of a structure in a projection image with a system having a known system geometry, includes acquiring a preoperative computer-tomography or CT image of a structure, preprocessing the CT-image to a volume image, acquiring an intraoperative two dimensional or 2D X-ray image, preprocessing the 2D X-ray image to a fix image, estimating an approximate pose of the structure, calculating a digitally reconstructed radiograph or DRR using the volume image, the estimated pose and the system geometry, and calculating a correlation between the generated DRR and the fix image, with a correlation value representing matching between the generated DRR and the fix image. The method significantly decreases the number of wrong-level surgeries and is independent of the surgeon's ability to localize and/or identify a target level in a body.

Abstract: Artifacts in the reconstructed volume data of cone beam CT systems can be removed by the application of respiration correlation techniques to the acquired projection images. To achieve this, the phase of the patients breathing is monitored while acquiring projection images continuously. On completion of the acquisition, projection images that have comparable breathing phases can be selected from the complete set, and these are used to reconstruct the volume data using similar techniques to those of conventional CT. Any phase can be selected and therefore the effect of breathing can be studied. It is also possible to use a feature in the projection images such as the patient's diaphragm to determine the breathing phase. This feature in the projection images can be used to control delivery of therapeutic radiation dependent on the patient's breathing cycle, to ensure that the tumor is in the correct position when the radiation is delivered.

Abstract: A system for obtaining coordinate data of a source and detector instrument are described. The system includes a marker assembly having a plurality of markers with a particular geometry, and an energy source for targeting the plurality of markers with energy packets. The system further includes a detector for detecting energy packets after the plurality of markers have interacted therewith, and an image device for forming image data of the plurality of markers from the energy packets detected by the detector. A calibration module for utilizes the particular geometry of the plurality of markers and the image data to non-iteratively determine coordinate data.