Abstract: A system and method includes reception of a mask x-ray image of a patient volume, reception of a plurality of sequential x-ray images of the patient volume including a contrast medium, subtraction of the mask x-ray image from each of the plurality of sequential x-ray images to generate a plurality of sequential x-ray difference images, filtering of each of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on one or more filter parameters to generate a plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images, combination of each of the plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images with a corresponding one of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on a weight to generate a plurality of combined sequential x-ray images, and display of the plurality of combined sequential x-ray images sequentially.

Abstract: A system provides a roadmap image displaying a vessel structure using an imaging system to acquire data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of vessels of a region of interest of patient anatomy in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor generates multiple sequential cumulative images corresponding to the individual images and an individual current cumulative image corresponds to a current image of the individual images. The current cumulative image comprises cumulative pixel luminance values and an individual cumulative pixel luminance value is generated from luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual cumulative pixel and present in images comprising a subset of the individual images. The subset comprises contiguous images of the temporally sequential individual images acquired preceding the current image and including the current image. An output processor provides the multiple sequential cumulative images to a destination.

Abstract: A data management system automatically manages image buffers to produce images for angiography using a first memory portion, a second memory portion and an image data processor. The first memory portion stores first image frame data representing minimum luminance values of individual pixels of a sequence of medical images. The second memory portion stores second image frame data comprising a difference between the minimum luminance values and corresponding maximum luminance values. The image data processor processes data representing an acquired X-ray image frame of a catheterized vessel using a stored frame of maximum or minimum pixel luminance values and the second image frame data to provide an image with enhanced visualization of a catheter in a vessel.

Abstract: A system enhances reduced resolution grey scale luminance data for display on a monitor. An interface receives a pixel grey scale luminance value represented by a first number of bits exceeding a display monitor input bit length. A data processor indicates a difference comprising the number of bits. In response to the difference, the data processor derives R, G, B pixel luminance values by adjusting one or more of the R, G, B pixel luminance values to provide corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values representing the grey scale luminance value and at least one of the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values is different from remaining ones of R, G, B pixel luminance values. The data processor outputs the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values for display on R, G, B channels of the monitor.

Abstract: A system comprises a catheter including a lens, for acquiring optical coherence tomography images within the vessel of interest as the catheter is being retracted from the vessel in the presence of contrast agent. An X-ray imaging system interface receives a first set of X-ray images of an anatomical region including the vessel of interest containing the catheter. The first set of X-ray images are acquired at points corresponding to the particular points within a heart cycle, while the catheter is stationary in the vessel, in response to a heart electrical activity representative signal and in the absence of contrast agent. An image data processor associates the received X-ray images and corresponding optical coherence tomography image data derived at corresponding time points within respective acquisition heart cycles.

Abstract: A motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image processing system includes an interface for acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels. An image data processor automatically, (a) determines a first shift vector for a first image of the sequence for compensating for shift between the first image and a first reference image of the sequence, (b) applies the determined first shift vector to the first image of the sequence to produce a shifted image, (c) subtracts the first reference image from the shifted image to produce a subtracted image enhancing vessel structure, (d) determines a second shift vector for compensating for shift between the subtracted image and a second reference image and (e) shifts content of the subtracted image relative to the second reference image in response to the second shift vector, to provide a shifted subtracted image enhancing and aligning vessel structure.

Abstract: A system generates medical image data representing smaller vessels including capillaries of a region of patient anatomy. An image data processor identifies pixels of larger vessels in individual images of difference images where the larger vessels have a size exceeding a predetermined threshold size. The image data processor generates an enhanced visualization small vessel image comprising substantially peak luminance values of individual pixels exclusive of pixels of the identified larger vessels. A peak luminance value of an individual pixel is generated in response to a peak luminance value of luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual pixel and present in images comprising the plurality of temporally sequential individual difference images. An output processor outputs substantially peak luminance values as a vessel image.

Abstract: A system automatically processes different medical image sequences facilitating comparison of the sequences in adjacent respective display areas. An image data processor, identifies first and second mask images of first and second image sequences respectively as images preceding introduction of contrast agent and determines a translational shift between the first and second mask images. The image data processor transforms data representing individual images of at least one of the first image sequence and the second image sequence in response to the determined translational shift to reduce mis-alignment of the individual images of the first image sequence relative to the individual images of the second image sequence. A display presents first and second image sequences corrected for mis-alignment, in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison.

Abstract: An image data subtraction system suitable for use in Angiography or other medical procedure enhances vessel visualization. An imaging system subtracts data representing a first mask image from data representing temporally sequential individual images of patient vessels to provide first digitally subtracted images. The sequential individual images encompass introduction of a contrast agent. An image processor automatically, processes the data representing the first digitally subtracted images to identify a first image indicating presence of the contrast agent and a second image preceding the first image by determining a measure representing a net presence of contrast agent in an individual digitally subtracted image. The second image is substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of the contrast agent.

Abstract: A system orientates and displays intra-vascular ultrasound imaging data using an acquisition processor and an image data processor. The acquisition processor acquires, during navigation of an ultrasound catheter through a vessel, for multiple individual intra-vascular ultrasound images comprising an image sequence, data representing an individual image and orientation data associated with the individual image indicating orientation of the catheter and individual image with respect to a reference position external to patient anatomy. The image data processor aligns the multiple individual intra-vascular ultrasound images with respect to the external reference position by rotating individual images of the image sequence as necessary to have substantially the same orientation with respect to the external reference position in response to the orientation data.

Abstract: An IVUS catheter is advantageously provided with a particular radio-opaque pattern enabling detection of catheter rotation angle with respect to an X-ray imaging source for co-registering IVUS image data with angiographic X-ray or CT image data, for example. An ultrasound catheter system supports orientation and display of intra-vascular ultrasound imaging data. The system comprises an ultrasound catheter for acquiring ultrasound images comprising a body having a pattern of radio-opaque material on the external surface of the catheter body. The pattern varies with angular rotation of the catheter and indicates an angle of rotation of a predetermined reference orientation of the catheter relative to an X-ray radiation source, so that an X-ray image of the catheter body indicates the pattern and the pattern is analyzable by an image data processor to determine the angle of rotation.

Abstract: A system for selecting a zoom size of an anatomical image for display includes an image detector having a pre-defined field of view defining a maximum and minimum analog zoom fields of view corresponding to maximum and minimum analog zoom settings for at least one anatomical image; an image display displaying the anatomical image within the pre-defined field of view; a processing unit providing a selection of at least one anatomical image; and a network configured to interface the detector with the processing unit and the image display with the processing unit. The system enables establishment of at least one intervening selectable zoom setting corresponding to an intervening selectable zoom field of view between the maximum and minimum analog zoom fields of view, thereby establishing a first user profile. A second user profile overriding the first user profile can be established. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system automatically processes different medical image sequences facilitating comparison of the sequences in adjacent respective display areas. An image data processor, identifies first and second mask images of first and second image sequences respectively as images preceding introduction of contrast agent and determines a translational shift between the first and second mask images. The image data processor transforms data representing individual images of at least one of the first image sequence and the second image sequence in response to the determined translational shift to reduce mis-alignment of the individual images of the first image sequence relative to the individual images of the second image sequence. A display presents first and second image sequences corrected for mis-alignment, in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic imaging system for generating images in digital subtraction angiography is proposed. A mask image frame of a patient and a series of live image frames of the patient acquired in the same imaging position of the mask frame acquisition are accessed. One of the mask and the live image frames is contrast-enhanced. Possible shift vectors in a region of interest are assumed being a difference vector between the mask and a respective live image frame and a scoring is calculated. Possible shift vector with the highest scoring is chosen as an elected shift vector. A likelihood representing a quality value of the elected shift vector is calculated. The mask image frame is shifted with respect to the respective live image frame by a modified shift vector depending on the likelihood. The shifted mask image frame is subtracted from the respective live image frame and is displayed.

Abstract: An Angiographic X-ray imaging system includes a detector for automatically detecting a transition between different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels of a portion of patient anatomy, in response to pixel luminance content of at least one image of a sequence of acquired images of the portion of patient anatomy. An X-ray imaging device uses the detector and information associating different sets of X-ray imaging device settings with corresponding different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels for automatically sequentially acquiring images in different phases using different imaging settings, in response to detection of transitions between different phases.

Abstract: A motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image processing system includes an interface for acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels. An image data processor automatically, (a) determines a first shift vector for a first image of the sequence for compensating for shift between the first image and a first reference image of the sequence, (b) applies the determined first shift vector to the first image of the sequence to produce a shifted image, (c) subtracts the first reference image from the shifted image to produce a subtracted image enhancing vessel structure, (d) determines a second shift vector for compensating for shift between the subtracted image and a second reference image and (e) shifts content of the subtracted image relative to the second reference image in response to the second shift vector, to provide a shifted subtracted image enhancing and aligning vessel structure.

Abstract: A system automatically adaptively adjusts an enlarged region of interest presented as a zoomed image on a secondary live display in response to X-ray filter (e.g., collimator) adjustment. An X-ray medical image user interface system includes one or more displays for displaying medical images. At least one display concurrently presents, a first image window including an X-ray image overview of a portion of patient anatomy and a second image window including an enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview. A collimator position detector provides a collimator signal in response to a detected collimator position. An image data processor automatically identifies the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview in response to the collimator signal. A display processor generates data representing an image comprising the enlarged region of interest of the X-ray image overview in response to the identification of the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview.

Abstract: An Angiographic X-ray imaging system provides enhanced image feature visualization. At least one repository includes data representing a sequence of X-ray images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired over a time interval and signal data representing electrical activity of the heart of the patient over the time interval. An image data processor determines for individual images of the sequence of X-ray images, characteristics of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image. The characteristics comprise at least one of, (a) a peak to peak value of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image and (b) an average value of a portion of the signal data associated with the corresponding image. The image data processor selects a set of images exclusive of particular images from the sequence of X-ray images in response to the determined characteristics and generates an averaged image from the set of images.

Abstract: A data management system automatically manages image buffers to produce images for angiography using a first memory portion, a second memory portion and an image data processor. The first memory portion stores first image frame data representing minimum luminance values of individual pixels of a sequence of medical images. The second memory portion stores second image frame data comprising a difference between the minimum luminance values and corresponding maximum luminance values. The image data processor processes data representing an acquired X-ray image frame of a catheterized vessel using a stored frame of maximum or minimum pixel luminance values and the second image frame data to provide an image with enhanced visualization of a catheter in a vessel.

Abstract: A system for visualizing vascular fluid flow concentration includes at least one repository including a plurality of stored angiography scenes, an angiography scene comprises a plurality of individual images of a vascular structure successively acquired over a time period. A user interface control device enables a user to determine, (a) a duration and (b) a start time relative to a start time of the time period, of a window of interest within the time period. A control processor is electrically coupled to the user interface control device and the at least one repository. Control processor automatically assigns a unique visual indicator representing contrast flow of fluid through vessels to individual images within the user determined duration of the time period.