Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for controlling a scanning region of a medical imaging system for subsequent recording of a region of interest of an examination object. Depth image data of the examination object are captured. 2-D image data of at least one 2-D image of the examination object are created and the 2-D image is displayed. The 2-D image data and the depth image data of the examination object are registered to each other at least in some regions. By using the 2-D image, at least one limit position of the scanning region is then determined. Finally, on the basis of the depth image data and the limit position in the 2-D image of the examination object, a limit contour line extending through the limit position is determined and displayed such that the limit contour line is superimposed on the 2-D image of the examination object.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for determining anatomical landmarks on a patient by virtue of anatomical landmarks being called up from a database with an anatomical model and being converted into individual body dimensions and an individual position of the patient. As a result, anatomical landmarks may be called up from a database, calculated individually for the patient and used as an item of reference location information. The positioning of the patient table is thus considerably accelerated, wherein the accuracy is also improved. Thus, the item of reference location information may be calculated individually for the same patient in a different position or a different patient with different body dimensions by virtue of this item of reference location information being recalculated by the conversion rule for the respective patient.

Abstract: The automated positioning of an examination table relative to a medical-technical imaging installation is provided. A camera image is frozen by a first user interaction. Reference information is defined in the frozen camera image by a second user interaction. An examination table or medical-technical imaging installation with the aid of a positioning system is moved based on congruence between the reference location information with a recording region of the medical-technical imaging installation.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for controlling a scanning region of a medical imaging system for subsequent recording of a region of interest of an examination object. Depth image data of the examination object are captured. 2-D image data of at least one 2-D image of the examination object are created and the 2-D image is displayed. The 2-D image data and the depth image data of the examination object are registered to each other at least in some regions. By using the 2-D image, at least one limit position of the scanning region is then determined. Finally, on the basis of the depth image data and the limit position in the 2-D image of the examination object, a limit contour line extending through the limit position is determined and displayed such that the limit contour line is superimposed on the 2-D image of the examination object.

Abstract: In a 3D image of a patient supported on a patient table, the 3D image incorporates depth information about the outline of the patient. The 3D image is received and image information based on the 3D image is displayed on a screen, embedded into a graphical user interface. A first recording area is selectable particularly precisely by the selection being based on the inputting of a first start position and also a first end position in the displayed image information via the graphical user interface. The first recording area is displayed as a graphically highlighted first zone. Furthermore, a first position of the first recording area is determined relative to a recording unit based on the depth information and also based on the selection of the first recording area. This results in the first position being determined rapidly and particularly reliably, in particular in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An imaging arrangement includes an imaging modality, a control facility, a moveable patient couch and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus includes at least one optical image recording apparatus for recording at least one photo-realistic image of the patient couch. At least one item of positioning information is input with respect to an image of the patient couch shown on the display apparatus and a patient if applicable positioned thereupon. A method for positioning a patient in an imaging modality is further disclosed.

Abstract: In a 3D image of a patient supported on a patient table, the 3D image incorporates depth information about the outline of the patient. The 3D image is received and image information based on the 3D image is displayed on a screen, embedded into a graphical user interface. A first recording area is selectable particularly precisely by the selection being based on the inputting of a first start position and also a first end position in the displayed image information via the graphical user interface. The first recording area is displayed as a graphically highlighted first zone. Furthermore, a first position of the first recording area is determined relative to a recording unit based on the depth information and also based on the selection of the first recording area. This results in the first position being determined rapidly and particularly reliably, in particular in the vertical direction.

Abstract: The automated positioning of an examination table relative to a medical-technical imaging installation is provided. A camera image is frozen by a first user interaction. Reference information is defined in the frozen camera image by a second user interaction. An examination table or medical-technical imaging installation with the aid of a positioning system is moved based on congruence between the reference location information with a recording region of the medical-technical imaging installation.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for determining anatomical landmarks on a patient by virtue of anatomical landmarks being called up from a database with an anatomical model and being converted into individual body dimensions and an individual position of the patient. As a result, anatomical landmarks may be called up from a database, calculated individually for the patient and used as an item of reference location information. The positioning of the patient table is thus considerably accelerated, wherein the accuracy is also improved. Thus, the item of reference location information may be calculated individually for the same patient in a different position or a different patient with different body dimensions by virtue of this item of reference location information being recalculated by the conversion rule for the respective patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a 4D image data record of an object under examination using measured data from a computed tomography system in which projection data are accepted which were acquired by way of the computed tomography system at different imaging time points by way of an helical scan method following the administration of contrast medium to the object under examination). On the basis of the projection data, image data of the object under examination are then reconstructed and linked with the imaging time points to a space/time data record. Then, a parameterized 4D image data model is individualized with adaptation to the space/time data record by varying model parameters. An image processing device and a computed tomography system with an image processing device of this kind are also described.

Abstract: An embodiment of a CT system includes a computer unit and at least one memory device for storing program code and projection data records, established during a CT scan and usable for reconstructing CT renderings. The computer unit is connected in a networked system with at least one external diagnosis computer including a memory with program code for diagnosing reconstructed visual CT renderings. A method for reconstructing and diagnosing visual CT renderings is also disclosed. In an embodiment, a request for reconstructing a CT data record with a projection data record stored in the computer unit is received, sent from a diagnosis computer in a diagnosis station, by the computer unit of the CT system via the communications network; the computer unit recognizes this request; the computer unit automatically executes the requested reconstruction and the reconstructed CT rendering is transmitted to the requesting diagnosis computer via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and a data-processing system are disclosed for determining the proportion of calcium in coronary arteries using image data from CT angiography. In at least one embodiment of the method, anatomical landmarks are detected in the image data in the region of the heart and coronary arteries are segmented taking into account the detected landmarks. Regions with an increased HU value compared to a contrast agent surroundings are segmented in the segmented coronary arteries. A proportion of calcium respectively is calculated from the segmented regions for one or more of the segmented coronary arteries. At least the last two steps are carried out fully automatically by a data-processing system. Weighting factors for the individual regions are used when calculating the proportion of calcium, which weighting factors depend on both the threshold for segmenting the respective region and the volume of said region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for actuating an image output device for the output of slice images, obtained from volume data, of a tissue region including at least one hollow organ section. In at least one embodiment, tangential slice planes at observation points along at least one profile line section through the hollow organ section are determined on the basis of provided volume data. In the process, the profile line section is decomposed into shorter profile line sections such that the generated profile line sections are each situated at least approximately in a plane assigned to the respective profile line section as per a predetermined quality criterion. First tangential slice planes are each assigned to the possible observation points on the associated profile line sections on the basis of these planes.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for computed tomography illustration of the movement of a heart in the cardiac cycle with the aid of a spiral CT. In the method, a patient is administered a contrast medium via an electronically controllable apparatus. A stationary prescan of a cardiac artery is carried out in order to determine the sufficient filling of the artery with the automatically applied contrast medium. When a sufficient contrast medium filling is detected, the current heart rate of the heart being examined is measured, and a maximum possible feed rate for a spiral scan and a duration of the spiral scan are determined on the basis of the current heart rate. Subsequently, the spiral scan is carried out over the heart region with the maximum possible feed rate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a 4D image data record of an object under examination using measured data from a computed tomography system in which projection data are accepted which were acquired by way of the computed tomography system at different imaging time points by way of an helical scan method following the administration of contrast medium to the object under examination). On the basis of the projection data, image data of the object under examination are then reconstructed and linked with the imaging time points to a space/time data record. Then, a parameterized 4D image data model is individualized with adaptation to the space/time data record by varying model parameters. An image processing device and a computed tomography system with an image processing device of this kind are also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records.

Abstract: A method and a data-processing system are disclosed for determining the proportion of calcium in coronary arteries using image data from CT angiography. In at least one embodiment of the method, anatomical landmarks are detected in the image data in the region of the heart and coronary arteries are segmented taking into account the detected landmarks. Regions with an increased HU value compared to a contrast agent surroundings are segmented in the segmented coronary arteries. A proportion of calcium respectively is calculated from the segmented regions for one or more of the segmented coronary arteries. At least the last two steps are carried out fully automatically by a data-processing system. Weighting factors for the individual regions are used when calculating the proportion of calcium, which weighting factors depend on both the threshold for segmenting the respective region and the volume of said region.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for actuating an image output device for the output of slice images, obtained from volume data, of a tissue region including at least one hollow organ section. In at least one embodiment, tangential slice planes at observation points along at least one profile line section through the hollow organ section are determined on the basis of provided volume data. In the process, the profile line section is decomposed into shorter profile line sections such that the generated profile line sections are each situated at least approximately in a plane assigned to the respective profile line section as per a predetermined quality criterion. First tangential slice planes are each assigned to the possible observation points on the associated profile line sections on the basis of these planes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for visualizing tubular anatomical structures, in particular vessel structures, in medical 3D image records. In at least one embodiment, the method includes the following: firstly, providing 3D image data of the tubular anatomical structure; secondly, displaying a first image of the tubular anatomical structure on the basis of the 3D image data; thirdly, selecting an image voxel which is assigned to the tubular structure in the 3D image data on the basis of the first image; fourthly, determining a centerline of the tubular anatomical structure in a prescribably delimited region of the 3D image data comprising the image voxel; fifthly, selecting a point of the centerline; sixthly, generating one or more 2D slice images assigned to the point, the 2D slice images in each case representing a sectional plane in the 3D image data; and seventhly, displaying the 2D slice images.