Abstract: It is described a method for coronary artery selective calcium assignment by computed tomography, wherein the method comprising the steps of performing a low x-ray dose cardiac calcium scoring scan, obtaining a data set of said cardiac calcium scoring scan, generating reconstructed images from the data set of said cardiac calcium scoring scan, analyzing the reconstructed images for segmented calcium deposits, deriving a data set of calcification from the analysis, wherein a cardiac model is adapted to the reconstructed image such that segmented calcium deposits can be assigned to specific areas of the heart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of segmenting a surface in a multi dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of images. In accordance with the method of the invention, at step 4 shape parameters and topology parameters for the object under consideration are acquired. Preferably that the multi-dimensional data set imaging the object is acquired at an acquisition step 1 and is subsequently stored in a computer-readable file 2. At step 5 the default shape parameters and topology parameters of a suitable segmentation algorithm 3 based on a deformable model are adapted with the value of the actual shape parameters and the topology parameters 4 for the given object. Subsequently, at step 6 the images constituting the multi-dimensional dataset are segmented using deformable model algorithm 6a with the adapted shape parameters and the adapted topology parameters yielding respective portions of the sought surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for producing a representation of an object in image data, based on a template coupled to a model of the object, the system comprising a model unit for adapting the model to the object in the image data, and a template unit for adapting the template to the adapted model on the basis of the coupling between the template and the model. The template defines a representation of the object which is simpler to interpret than the model. The template may be arranged to emphasize useful features of the object. The template comprises substantially fewer degrees of freedom and thus can be efficiently adapted to the model. Because the template of the invention is coupled to the model, the position, orientation and/or shape of the template is determined by the model adapted to the object in the image data. Hence, the template is adapted to the image data. The adapted template is capable of representing the object and its individual characteristics, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and a corresponding image processing method for processing a multi-dimensional data set of image data, in particular of three-dimensional medical volume image data, including a segmentation unit (6, 16, 26) for a segmentation of an image object in said data set. Further, the present invention relates to a computer program for implementing said image processing method on a computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing computer-aided detection (CAD) of a disease, e.g. lung tumours, on a medical image data set (20) from a imaging modality, such as MRI or CT. Initially, there is perform a segmentation of the medical image data set (20) using an anatomical model. Secondly, the segmented data is analyzed for characteristics of the disease resulting in a set of analysis data (25), and finally the set of analysis data (25) is evaluating with respect to the disease. At least one of these steps comprises as an input a position dependent probability (P_r) for the disease. The invention is advantageous in that more efficient computations can be performed because the degree of analysis in a certain region of the part of the patient, e.g. the lung, can be adjusted or tailored to the level of probability of the disease in the that region.

Abstract: When estimating a position or orientation of a patient's heart, a mesh model of a nominal heart is overlaid on a SPECT or PET image of the patient's heart and manipulated to conform to the image of the patient's heart. A mesh adaptation protocol applies opposing forces to the mesh model to constrain the mesh model from changing shape and to pull the mesh model to the shape of the patient's heart. A heart orientation estimator (60) iterates the mesh adaptation protocol a predetermined number of times, after which it defines a long axis of the left ventricle of the patient's heart as a line passing through the center of the mitral valve and the center of mass of the left ventricle. The long axis is then employed by a reorientation processor (70) to reorient the SPECT or PET image of the patient's heart, over which the mesh model was originally laid, to improve the accuracy of the PECT or PET image.

Abstract: A patient data record is described comprising a mean model representative of the patient and further comprises at least one shape model to represent data concerning the patient, in which the said mean model comprises at least one region and the said shape model comprises at least one sub-section, and in which the at least one sub-section of the shape model is linked to the equivalent region of the mean model. This has the advantage of allowing greater structure to the patient record. Further a system is described to present patient data upon queries generated by a user and arranged to access the claimed patient data record, and which is further arranged to provide access to information in the sub-section of the shape model when a query generated by the user accesses the equivalent region of the mean model. This system allows full use of the improved patient data record.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for registering a vessel model with an image data set based on a joined model comprising a reference object model and the vessel model, the system comprising: a placement unit (110) for placing the joined model in a space of the image data set, thereby creating a placed joined model comprising a placed reference object model and a placed vessel model; a computation unit (120) for computing a deformation field based on a landmark displacement field comprising displacements of landmarks of the placed reference object model relative to corresponding landmarks in the image data set; a transformation unit (130) for transforming the placed joined model using the deformation field, thereby creating a transformed joined model comprising a transformed reference object model and a transformed vessel model; and a registration unit (140) for registering the transformed vessel model with the image data set based on modifying the transformed vessel model and optimizing an objective f

Abstract: A data structure for use by a computer system for comparing temporally varying medical data (9a, 9b) is disclosed. The data structure performs the steps of receiving a first data set (9a) including first data representing a medical parameter at a plurality of first times, receiving a second data set (9b) including second data representing said medical parameter at a plurality of second times, and processing said first and/or second data sets to increase a degree of correlation or similarity between a plurality of said first and second times representing identifiable events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for adapting a plurality of model meshes to a plurality of image data, the system comprising a registration unit (110) for registering the plurality of model meshes with the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of a registration transformation for transforming the plurality of model meshes, and an adaptation unit (120) for adapting the plurality of registered model meshes to the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of locations of mesh vertices of the plurality of model meshes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactively manipulating a shape of an object, comprising selecting an object to be manipulated and rendering the object in dependence of a manipulation type. The method provides a smart object adapted interaction, manipulation and visualization scheme in contrast to previous display driven schemes. The method allows efficient shape manipulation by restricting the degrees of freedom for the manipulation to the meaningful ones for a given object or object part, thus allowing to reduce e.g. a 3D interaction to a 2D interaction.

Abstract: Modeling of organ surfaces is a well-established method that may serve in computer-supported teaching, but also in image-based medical diagnosis and in clinical interventions. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of constructing a multi-surface model from a multi-dimensional dataset of an object of interest is provided, which combines single basic two-dimensional manifold surface meshes, resulting in a multi-surface model. According to an aspect of the present invention, this resulting model may be a non-two-dimensional manifold mesh.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for propagating a model mesh based on a first mean model mesh and on a second mean model mesh, the system comprising: a registration unit (110) for computing a registration transformation for registering the first model mesh with the first mean model mesh; a forward transformation unit (120) for transforming the model mesh into a registered model mesh using the registration transformation; a computation unit (130) for computing a propagation field for propagating the registered model mesh, the propagation field comprising vectors of displacements of vertices of the second mean model mesh relative to respective vertices of the first mean model mesh; a propagation unit (140) for transforming the registered model mesh into the propagated registered model mesh based on applying the vertex displacement vectors comprised in the propagation field to respective vertices of the registered model mesh; and an inverse transformation unit (150) for transforming the propagated regist

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100) of and to a system (200) for determining a template mesh of a shape model on the basis of a plurality of instances of the shape model. The method of determining the template mesh of the shape model comprises an obtaining step (110) for obtaining the plurality of instances of the template mesh, a computing step (120) for computing a plurality of results on the basis of the plurality of instances of the shape model, a deciding step (130) for deriving a decision on the basis of the plurality of results, and a decimating step (140) for decimating the template mesh of the shape model on the basis of the decision, thereby determining the template mesh of the shape model. Thus, the template mesh of the shape model determined by the method of the invention better describes objects of interest at all locations.

Abstract: Method and system for facilitating post-processing of images using deformable meshes in which a deformable mesh model of an object such as an organ is extended by attaching information thereon in order to simplify and/or facilitate a desired post-processing task so that the post-processing task effected when the mesh is applied to the same object in an additional image can expeditiously use this information. The information may be attached to the mesh after its creation, for example, upon segmentation of the same object in some training image. The post-processing task can therefore be performed automatically without user interaction upon segmentation of the object in the additional image. Information is encoded on the mesh by enumerating a list of triangles or vertices of the mesh which have to be considered in the subsequent, post-processing task and by optionally providing additional parameters defining the precise post-processing algorithm(s) to be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and a corresponding image processing method for processing medical image data showing at least two image objects, including a segmentation unit for detection and/or segmentation of image objects in said image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for segmentation of a three-dimensional structure in a three-dimensional data set, especially a medical data set. The method uses a three-dimensional deformable model, wherein the surface of the model consists of a net of polygonal meshes. The meshes are split into groups, and a feature term is assigned to each group. After the model has been placed over the structure of interest, the deformable model is recalculated in consideration of the feature terms of each group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of segmenting a surface in a multi dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of images. In accordance with the method of the invention, at step 4 shape parameters and topology parameters for the object under consideration are acquired. Preferably that the multi-dimensional data set imaging the object is acquired at an acquisition step 1 and is subsequently stored in a computer-readable file 2. At step 5 the default shape parameters and topology parameters of a suitable segmentation algorithm 3 based on a deformable model are adapted with the value of the actual shape parameters and the topology parameters 4 for the given object. Subsequently, at step 6 the images constituting the multi-dimensional dataset are segmented using deformable model algorithm 6a with the adapted shape parameters and the adapted topology parameters yielding respective portions of the sought surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and a corresponding image processing method for processing a multi-dimensional data set of image data, in particular of three-dimensional medical volume image data, including a segmentation unit (6, 16, 26) for a segmentation of an image object in said data set. Further, the present invention relates to a computer program for implementing said image processing method on a computer.

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.