Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the detection of opacities in X-ray images. It is described to provide (210) an analysis X-ray image of a region of interest of an analyzed body part. A model of a normal region of interest is provided (220), wherein the model is based on a plurality of X-ray images of the region of interest. At least one abnormality is detected (230) in the region of interest of the analyzed body part, the detection comprising comparing the analysis X-ray image of the region of interest and the model of the normal region of interest. Information is output (240) on the at least one abnormality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for determining positioning data for an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on a mobile patient support unit (3), the device comprising: a processing unit (10); and a status detector (11); wherein the status detector (11) is configured to acquire geometry data and type data of a mobile patient support unit (3) and of an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on the mobile patient support unit (3), and to transmit a status signal comprising the geometry data and the type data; wherein the processing unit (10) is configured to receive the status signal and data about region of interest position on the patient; and wherein, based on the status signal and the region of interest position, the processing unit (10) is configured to determine positioning and alignment data for an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on the mobile patient support unit (3), and to provide an image acquisition protocol for the X-ray image acquisition device (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a candidate object in image data and determining a likelihood that the candidate object is an object from an object class. The apparatus comprises an image data receiving unit for receiving image data of an object of the object class, a seed element selecting unit for selecting a portion of the image elements as seed elements, a contour point identifying unit for identifying, for each seed element (SE), contour points, the contour points of a seed element circumscribing a candidate object which comprises the seed element, and a seed score determining unit for determining, for each seed element, a seed score indicative of a likelihood that the candidate object is an object from the object class. The invention allows differentiation between an object of an object class of interest and artifacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing device (10) comprising a data input (11) for receiving a 3D diagnostic image and a segmentation unit (12) for segmenting a thoracic cavity, a pelvic cavity, an abdominopelvic cavity or a combination of a thoracic cavity and an abdominopelvic cavity in the 3D diagnostic image and for determining a boundary surface thereof. The device also comprise a surface texture processor (13) for determining a surface texture for the boundary surface by projecting image information from a local neighborhood of the boundary surface in the 3D diagnostic image onto the boundary surface. The device comprises an output (14) for outputting a visual representation of at least one flat anatomical structure, comprising one or more ribs, a sternum, one or more vertebrae and/or a pelvic bone complex, adjacent to the body cavity by applying and visualizing the surface texture on the boundary surface.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method and system (100) for determining regions of hyperdense lung parenchyma in an image of a lung. The system (100) comprises a memory (106) comprising instruction data representing a set of instructions and a processor (102) configured to communicate with the memory and to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions, when executed by the processor (102), cause the processor (102) to locate a vessel in the image, determine a density of lung parenchyma in a region of the image that neighbours the located vessel, and determine whether the region of the image comprises hyperdense lung parenchyma based on the determined density, hyperdense lung parenchyma having a density greater than ?800 HU.

Abstract: In a conventional system for preparing reports on findings in medical images, the actual formulation of the report is not or only insufficiently supported by the computer-based system. Although there are efforts to improve such a system through automatic reporting, however, in previous systems, the error rate is too high and/or the operation of the system too complicated. This application proposes to provide text prediction to a user on the display device. The text prediction is based on prior analyzing the image content of a medical image at is displayed to the user at least when the user activates a text field shown on the display device via the input unit. The displayed text prediction is selected from a pre-defined set of text modules that are associated to the analysis result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile X-ray device, comprising: a housing with an X-ray source arranged therein, a sensor system comprising one or more sensors for aligning the X-ray source to an object to be scanned and/or detecting at least one extrinsic object in a predefined area in a vicinity of the X-ray beam of the X-ray source; a processor unit comprising determining the alignment of the X-ray source and the object to be scanned based on signals received from the sensor system; image acquisition for generating an X-ray image; activating a blockage signal for the mobile X-ray device based on signals received from the sensor system; and an interface for outputting the generated X-ray image and/or information; wherein image acquisition is blocked, if the sensor system signals one of the following: at least one extrinsic object is detected within the predefined area; lack of alignment between the X-ray source and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system (10) for medical imaging is provided. The imaging system (10) comprises an X-ray source (12) for emitting X-rays, an X-ray detector (14) for detecting X-rays, at least one unmanned aircraft (16), and at least one controller (18) for controlling at least one of the X-ray source (12), the X-ray detector (14), and the at least one unmanned aircraft (16). The X-ray source (12) or the X-ray detector (14) is arranged on the at least one unmanned aircraft (16), wherein the X-ray imaging system (10) is configured to capture an X-ray image of an object (15) arranged between the X-ray source (12) and the X-ray detector (14).

Abstract: The quality of thoracic X-rays is depends on the inspiration state of an imaged patient. If the lungs of a patient are not significantly inflated during a thoracic X-ray, tissue from surrounding organs can cause the image to become cloudier, and the lung parenchyma is not effectively shown. Thus, there is a reliance on a medical professional to ensure that the patient is in an appropriate posture and inspiration state at the point of image exposure. This can be difficult with patients suffering from chronic conditions, though. Therefore, this application discusses a means to assess the inspiration state using the position of rib bones, and the diaphragm line in the X-ray image. Thus, an accurate estimate of inspiration state can automatically be reported to a medical professional, before a patient leaves the examination room, allowing an X-ray to be retaken, if necessary.

Abstract: A biomarker of lung condition can conventionally be obtained using a spirometer. A spirometer provides an estimate of the volume of air expelled by the lungs. This is a rather indirect biomarker of the staging of a lung condition, because a reduction in lung volume may only manifest itself at a point where symptoms are well advanced. A lung condition such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) is typically not visible on conventional X-ray attenuation images, because the relevant tissue (alveoli-bearing microstructured lung tissue) contains a lot of air. The X-ray dark-field can successfully indicate microstructure, such as lung alveoli. Therefore, imaging the lungs using the dark-field can provide information on the status of COPD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for determining positioning data for an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on a mobile patient support unit (3), the device comprising: a processing unit (10); and a status detector (11); wherein the status detector (11) is configured to acquire geometry data and type data of a mobile patient support unit (3) and of an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on the mobile patient support unit (3), and to transmit a status signal comprising the geometry data and the type data; wherein the processing unit (10) is configured to receive the status signal and data about region of interest position on the patient; and wherein, based on the status signal and the region of interest position, the processing unit (10) is configured to determine positioning and alignment data for an X-ray image acquisition device (2) on the mobile patient support unit (3), and to provide an image acquisition protocol for the X-ray image acquisition device (2).

Abstract: A system includes an analytics unit (140), which compares a medical image (105) and associated information with a stored medical guideline (142), and identifies an error or a deviation (340) from the medical guideline based on the comparison.

Abstract: Medical radiography requires specialist control of radiography equipment to achieve good imaging results. Typical errors that can occur consist of an inappropriate field of view being accidentally applied. This results in a “cropping effect” in which portions of the region of interest of a patient which would be of clinical use are omitted from the image. Conventionally, the only solution is to re-take the entire image with a more appropriate (and inevitably larger) field of view selected. This is undesirable, because it might require recall of the patient from another location, and the patient will be subject to two exposures, thus undesirably increasing their X-ray dosage. The present application proposes to use an anatomical atlas to analyse an X-ray image output from an initial exposure, in particular to assess whether significant anatomical elements are missing from the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile X-ray device, comprising: a housing with an X-ray source arranged therein, a sensor system comprising one or more sensors for aligning the X-ray source to an object to be scanned and/or detecting at least one extrinsic object in a predefined area in a vicinity of the X-ray beam of the X-ray source; a processor unit comprising determining the alignment of the X-ray source and the object to be scanned based on signals received from the sensor system; image acquisition for generating an X-ray image; activating a blockage signal for the mobile X-ray device based on signals received from the sensor system; and an interface for outputting the generated X-ray image and/or information; wherein image acquisition is blocked, if the sensor system signals one of the following: at least one extrinsic object is detected within the predefined area; lack of alignment between the X-ray source and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: In modern health systems, and particularly in those in developing countries, primary care-givers located remotely from diagnosticians are increasingly turning to the possibilities afforded by social media and improved communication techniques. In particular, medical information may be obtained from a patient of the primary care-giver, and transmitted (for example, by email) to a diagnostician. However, the primary care giver has no way to know that the diagnostician has diagnostic information display equipment which could enable a secure diagnosis, for example. The present application discusses diagnosis authentication techniques. The primary care-giver's operator terminal (20) may challenge the diagnostic terminal (10) to certify and transmit receive various attributes useful for assuring a reasonable diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a candidate object in image data and determining a likelihood that the candidate object is an object from an object class. The apparatus comprises an image data receiving unit for receiving image data of an object of the object class, a seed element selecting unit for selecting a portion of the image elements as seed elements, a contour point identifying unit for identifying, for each seed element (SE), contour points, the contour points of a seed element circumscribing a candidate object which comprises the seed element, and a seed score determining unit for determining, for each seed element, a seed score indicative of a likelihood that the candidate object is an object from the object class. The invention allows differentiation between an object of an object class of interest and artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the detection of opacities in X-ray images. It is described to provide (210) an analysis X-ray image of a region of interest of an analyzed body part. A model of a normal region of interest is provided (220), wherein the model is based on a plurality of X-ray images of the region of interest. At least one abnormality is detected (230) in the region of interest of the analyzed body part, the detection comprising comparing the analysis X-ray image of the region of interest and the model of the normal region of interest. Information is output (240) on the at least one abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for obtaining an improved visualization of bone objects comprised in a projection X-ray image. The projection X-ray image comprises bone objects which at least in part overlap. According to the system and method, a number of the bone objects are delineated by a contour, thereby obtaining a number of delineated bone objects. For each of the number of delineated bone object, a bone suppression technique is applied to the image to obtain respective bone image data individually showing the respective delineated bone object while suppressing shadows of obstructing objects. The bone image data generated for each of the number of delineated bone objects is used to generate an output image in which the bone objects do not overlap. An advantage of the system and method is that a non-overlapping, shadow-suppressed, presentation of the bone objects may be created from an X-ray image which was obtained by projectional radiography.

Abstract: An image registration apparatus (118) includes an image quality driven image registration determiner (202) that determines an image quality driven image registration for a set of images to register based on a non-rigid registration (204), which includes an optimization of an image similarity term and a regularization term, and a registration steering factor, and a registration component (206) that registers the set of images using the image quality driven image registration. A method determining an image quality driven image registration for a set of images to register based on a non-rigid registration, which includes an optimization of an image similarity term and a regularization term, and a registration steering factor, and registering the set of images using the fidelity driven image registration, generating a set of registered images.

Abstract: Apparatuses (IP) and related methods to visualize previously suppressed image structures in a radiograph (RD). A graphical indicator (505, 510, 515) is superimposed on the radiograph (RD) to indicate the suppressed image structure (412). The apparatuses allow toggling in our out the graphical indicator (505, 510, 515) or to toggle between different graphical renderings thereof.