Abstract: Methods and systems of measuring progressive multilateral dysfunction of a system are provided. Methods of measuring progressive multilateral dysfunction of a system include, obtaining a plurality of different health measures for the system, defining a multidimensional space with one dimension corresponding to each health measures and defining a point in the multidimensional space representing the values of the health measures. Further the method includes, comparing the position of the defined point to a predefined trajectory through said multidimensional space representing progressive multilateral dysfunction of the system where the measure of the progressive multilateral dysfunction of the system is calculated from the position of the point relative to the predefined trajectory.

Abstract: A method of matching data sets, such as different images, by estimating a transformation which relates the two images. Different candidate transformations are scored by using a similarity measure calculated on the basis of probability density functions derived from the two data sets themselves. The probability density functions are based on local likelihood density estimation (LLDE). The technique is applicable to image registration, and also to data fusion.

Abstract: A method of registration of a functional emission image to another image, e.g. a structural/anatomical image, is disclosed in which the emission image is first processed to mask out regions of the background and lungs identified in a corresponding transmission image. Only areas which are not masked out in the emission image are matched to areas in the x-ray image. The x-ray image and masked emission image may then be displayed in superposition.

Abstract: A system for controlling medical data acquisition, such as imaging, comprises a supervisory protocol controller which controls in real time a data acquisition device, such as an imaging apparatus, and an agent administration controller, such as a drug delivery device for delivering contrast agent. The supervisory protocol controller receives data from the acquisition apparatus and controls the acquisition apparatus and the administration controller based on that acquired data. Thus the acquisition protocol can be controlled and changed in response to the actual acquisition circumstances.

Abstract: A method of dynamic medical imaging in which the quality of image registration or motion correction between the frames is assessed by examining the temporal behaviour of a region of interest through the sequence, and in particular how closely the behaviour follows expected behaviour. For a temporal sequence a temporal model of the expected behaviour of the region of interest is available and the quality of fit between the model and the data points from the dynamic imaging sequence can be calculated. In image regions of high patient motion the fit will be poor, whereas if there is no patient motion the fit will be better. The quality of fit can be displayed on the image as an indication of the validity of motion correction, and in areas of poor fit the motion correction can be re-executed using different parameters to try and improve the fit between the behaviour model and the actual data points. The invention is applicable to any contrast-enhanced medical imaging technique.

Abstract: A processing system which comprises a processing apparatus and a processing agent which is administered to a processing subject. The processing agent has a primary behaviour which provides the desired process result in conjunction with the apparatus, but also has a distinctive signature characteristic which is detected by test functionality in the processing system. The behaviour of the processing system can be modified in response to the test result. In an example such as a contrast enhanced medical imaging, the full functionality of the imaging equipment may be available only if a contrast agent having the particular distinctive signature characteristic is used, thus tying use of the apparatus to use of a particular agent.

Abstract: A method of registration of a functional emission image to another image, e.g. a structural/anatomical image, is disclosed in which the emission image is first processed to mask out regions of the background and lungs identified in a corresponding transmission image. Only areas which are not masked out in the emission image are matched to areas in the x-ray image. The x-ray image and masked emission image may then be displayed in superposition.