Abstract: An imaging system (10) includes: an image acquisition device (12), a device controller (16) comprising an electronic processor (20) programmed to operate the image acquisition device to acquire medical images of a patient and to maintain a machine log (26) storing an operating history of the image acquisition device; a server computer (34) programmed to retrieve patient information from at least one health information system (HIS) (18); and at least one feedback device (50, 52). The device controller, the server computer, or a combination of the device controller and server computer is programmed to implement at least one state machine (30, 44) having a plurality of states defined by values of state variables wherein the states represent respective attainable states of an image acquisition procedure (100) and the image acquisition device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of the position of a catheter in a vascular system (8). In this, the measured positions (r1, r2) of two magnetic localizers at the tip of a catheter are displaced by correction vectors (k1, k2) while optimizing a quality dimension. The quality dimension includes a component taking account both of the deviation of the measured positions (r1, r2) from the vascular layout and of the deviation of the associated orientation (r2?r1) from the orientation of the vascular layout according to a vascular map. In addition, the quality dimension may include components which evaluate the measured shape of the catheter compared to the vascular map. An additional correction step can further ensure that the corrected positions (r1?, r2?) correspond to the preset fixed distance (d) of the localizers (4, 5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action, in particular for monitoring of intra-cerebral or intra-cranial bleeding using Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). A common coupling unit per coil of a coil array is provided for coupling all signals for generating the magnetic fields to the set of common coils. Further, the same coils are used for acquiring detection signals. In this way a small scanner can be built that can be left permanently or can be provided periodically to the patient, in particular for bleeding monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action, in particular for monitoring of intra-cerebral or intra-cranial bleeding using Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). A common coupling unit per coil of a coil array is provided for coupling all signals for generating the magnetic fields to the set of common coils. Further, the same coils are used for acquiring detection signals. In this way a small scanner can be built that can be left permanently or can be provided periodically to the patient, in particular for bleeding monitoring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of the position of a catheter in a vascular system (8). In this, the measured positions (r1, r2) of two magnetic localizers at the tip of a catheter are displaced by correction vectors (k1, k2) while optimizing a quality dimension. The quality dimension includes a component taking account both of the deviation of the measured positions (r1, r2) from the vascular layout and of the deviation of the associated orientation (r2?r1) from the orientation of the vascular layout according to a vascular map. In addition, the quality dimension may include components which evaluate the measured shape of the catheter compared to the vascular map. An additional correction step can further ensure that the corrected positions (r1?, r2?) correspond to the preset fixed distance (d) of the localizers (4, 5).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the therapeutic embolization of an aneurysm (1) as well as to a catheter. A plugging material (2) is injected via a catheter (5) inserted into the aneurysm (1). During the injection, the spatial position of an active locator (3), such as a magnetic field sensor for example, which is fitted to the tip of the catheter (5) is observed by a locating device (8, 9). If emergence of the catheter tip from the aneurysm (1) is detected by a monitoring unit (7), said monitoring unit stops the further supply of plugging material to the catheter (5).

Abstract: Position measurements are often performed using a localization system with a given fixed capture range and accuracy and resolution. Having a fixed capture range often comes at the cost of decreased accuracy and resolution. According to the present invention, at the start, a large capture range is provided where the accuracy and resolution is low. In this large capture area, the target area can be identified and aimed at. With this identification, a smaller capture range is iteratively provided and centered around the region of interest, which leads to an increased accuracy and resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming different images of an object to be examined, notably medical images of a patient, which method includes the steps of: