Abstract: A system automatically synchronizes display of adjacent different medical image sequences of an anatomical portion derived for use in Angiography or another medical procedure. The system includes an imaging system for acquiring first and second sets of data at different stages of a treatment procedure representing corresponding first and second image sequences individually comprising multiple temporally sequential individual images of vessels of a portion of patient anatomy. The sequential individual images encompass introduction of a contrast agent into patient vessels. A display presents the first and second image sequences in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison. A contrast agent detector automatically analyzes the first and second image sequences to identify a first image frame in both the first image sequence and the second image sequence indicating presence of a contrast agent.

Abstract: The invention described in this application is an image file system for the acquisition and storage of streaming digital image data onto persistent storage media in real time and for full-rate playback of streaming digital image data stored on persistent storage media. Input/output of non-streaming digital image data is processed in system memory with write/read operations buffered by native operating system input/output support. Input/output of streaming digital data is processed in high-speed streaming digital image data I/O memory with write/read operations buffered by a high-performance image buffer thread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically selecting an end of diastole image frame and an end of systole image frame for cardiac analysis. In the method and apparatus, a plurality of image frames of a heart having a contrast medium injected into the heart and an electrocardiogram (ECG) curve of the heart are obtained. Candidate image frames are identified in the plurality of image frames that correspond to a first predetermined point on the ECG curve of the heart associated with the end of diastole. An end of diastole image frame is selected from the candidate image frames. An end of systole image frame is then identified and selected from the remaining one of the plurality of image frames.

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: Disclosed are method and apparatus for motion correction of Digital Subtracted Angiography (DSA) images. Prior to display of DSA image frames, a pixel shift vector is calculated for each fill frame. For a fill frame in which a pixel shift vector cannot be directly calculated, an approximate pixel shift vector is interpolated between, or extrapolated from, other pixel shift vectors. A mask frame is shifted by a pixel shift vector. The resulting shifted mask frame is subtracted from the corresponding fill frame to generate a motion-corrected subtracted frame, which is then displayed on a video display. Motion correction is performed prior to diagnostic review.

Abstract: A method of logging and storing of a sequence of acquired X-ray image frame data in an X-ray imaging lab includes logging and updating image frame data related information in a non-volatile memory on a real-time basis upon completion of storage of each image frame data and deleting the logged information upon completion of storage of the sequence of X-ray image frames.

Abstract: A system reduces artifacts introduced by patient or table motion during generation of a composite image visualizing contrast agent flow. A system for generation of a composite medical image of vessel structure, includes an imaging device for acquiring multiple sequential images of vessel structure of a portion of patient anatomy in the presence of a contrast agent. An imaging processor aligns individual images of the multiple sequential images with a single particular mask image containing background detail of the portion of patient anatomy in the absence of contrast agent. The imaging processor forms data representing multiple digitally subtracted images by subtracting data representing the single particular mask image from aligned individual images of the multiple sequential images.

Abstract: A medical image viewing system comprises an image data processor. The image data processor automatically identifies movement of a particular object within a first image of a sequence of images, relative to the corresponding particular object in a different reference image in the sequence of images. The image data processor automatically determines a transform to apply to data representing the first image to keep the particular object appearing substantially stationary in the first image relative to the corresponding particular object in the reference image, in response to the identified movement. The image data processor stores data, representing the determined transform and associating the determined transform with the first image. A user interface applies the transform acquired from storage to data representing the first image to present the first image in a display showing the particular object substantially stationary relative to the reference image, in response to a user command.

Abstract: A method generates a two dimensional (2D) medical image through a three dimensional (3D) imaged volume of patient anatomy at a desired position, by storing 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels in the presence of a contrast agent. The 3D image data comprises, data identifying multiple voxels representing multiple individual volume image element luminance values and luminance distribution data for individual voxels of a vessel in the 3D image data. For multiple individual voxels of a 2D image, the method determines composite luminance distribution data of an individual voxel in the 2D image by combining luminance distribution data of the 3D image data of multiple identified voxels substantially lying on a projection line from a source point to the individual voxel and generating data representing the 2D image using the determined composite luminance distribution data of the multiple individual voxels.

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 system and method for calculating a pixel-shift vector that predicts the motion in dynamic image data and can be used to shift reference image data in order to generate a subtracted image with reduced motion artifacts. The pixel-shift vector is calculated based on displacement vectors that have been calculated based on past motion in the dynamic image data. One embodiment determines a virtual pixel-shift vector as a function of stored pixel-shift vectors that were previously determined as a function of a previously captured live frame. The virtual pixel-shift vector is a prediction of the location of the current live frame before the current live frame is captured. The mask frame is adjusted as a function of this virtual pixel-shift vector. The current live frame is then subtracted from the mask frame adjusted as a function of the virtual pixel-shift vector. The adjusted mask frame and the live frame will then overlap and the subtracted image will have reduced artifacts.

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: A system provides a single composite image including multiple medical images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using corresponding multiple different types of imaging device. A display processor generates data representing a single composite display image including, a first image area showing a first image of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using a first type of imaging device, a second image area showing a second image of the portion of patient anatomy acquired using a second type of imaging device different to the first type. The first and second image areas include first and second markers respectively. The first and second markers identify an estimated location of the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy in the first and second images respectively.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic imaging system is disclosed that includes an X-ray source for controlling an X-ray beam radiated towards a patient under examination. The X-ray source includes an X-ray tube and X-ray collimator assembly. The system includes an-ray imaging device arranged for receiving the X-ray beam after is has passed through the patient to acquire latent image frames of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient's anatomy, and a system controller coupled to X-ray source and X-ray imaging device for controlling latent image frame acquisition and post-acquisition processing. The controlling includes controlling the X-ray imaging device and X-ray positioning, and collimator assembly operation. An image processing chain including an image processor coupled to the system controller, receives latent image frames from the X-ray imaging device for processing, including calculating a histogram from which pixels within a collimated area are removed.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic imaging system for conducting live fluoroscopic subtraction imaging is described as including an X-ray source for directing X-ray radiation to a patient being examined, an x-ray imaging device positioned for receiving the X-ray radiation and acquiring images in response thereto and a processor arranged in communication with the x-ray source and x-ray imaging device to control acquisition of a contrast-enhanced mask image frame and a live image frame without contrast enhancement, to conduct a pixel shift calculation operation based on a small, user-defined region of interest (ROI), for example, 1/16 of a full frame, to realize a pixel shift vector to correct for motion between live image frames, to shift pixels comprising the mask image frame by pixel shift directions defined by the pixel shift vector, and to subtract the shifted mask image frame from the live image frame to realize a live roadmapping image frame.

Abstract: A system provides a display image enabling a user to visualize and compare blood flow characteristics over time at selected points in an angiographic X-ray image. A system and user interface enables user interaction with a medical vessel structure image to determine individual vessel blood flow characteristics. The system includes a user interface cursor control device and a display processor for generating data representing a single composite display image. The composite display image includes, a first image area showing a patient vessel structure and contrast agent flow through the patient vessel structure over a first period of time and a second image area showing a graph of contrast agent concentration in a particular portion of the vessel structure over a second period of time. The particular portion of the vessel structure is selected in response to user command using the cursor control device.

Abstract: A system for selecting points of interest on an anatomical image includes a main image display; a touch-screen display; a processing unit; and a network configured to interface the processing unit with the main image display and with the touch-screen display. An image displayed on the main display is concurrently displayed on the touch-screen display. The touch-screen display and the main image display concurrently display anatomical points of interest and the touch-screen display is configured to enable selecting anatomical points of interest by touching the points of interest on the touch-screen display. Touching of the points of interest can be effected by a user touching the touch-screen display, by a stylus, by a light pen, by a mouse, by a track ball, and by a joystick control. A corresponding method is also disclosed. Quantitative results are displayed on the main display.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic imaging system for generating images in digital subtraction angiography and a method carried out therewith, comprising the following steps: accessing a mask image frame of a patient under examination; accessing a series of live image frames of the patient under examination acquired in the same imaging position of the mask frame acquisition, wherein one of the mask image frame and the live image frames is contrast-enhanced; assuming possible shift vectors in a region of interest and calculating a scoring thereof, each possible shift vector being a difference vector between the mask image frame and a respective live image frame, determining the possible shift vector with the highest scoring and choosing it as an elected shift vector, calculating a likelihood p representing a quality value of the elected shift vector, shifting the mask image frame with respect to the respective live image frame by a modified shift vector depending on the likelihood p, subtracting t

Abstract: A system automatically generates a mask image. An interface receives a signal from an X-ray imaging device indicating X-ray radiation dosage for performing imaging is substantially stable. An image processor automatically processes data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of a portion of patient anatomy to identify, a first image comprising an image in the multiple temporally sequential individual images determined in response to the received signal. The image processor identifies a second image substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of a contrast agent successively followed by an image indicating presence of a contrast agent, by comparing a difference between measures representative of luminance content of the second image and the image indicating presence of a contrast agent, with a threshold. The image processor also identifies a set of images comprising the first and second images and any sequential intervening images.

Abstract: A system creates a visually (e.g., color) coded 3D image that depicts 3D vascular function information including transit time of blood flow through the anatomy. A system combines 3D medical image data with vessel blood flow information. The system uses at least one repository for storing, 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels, in the presence of a contrast agent and 2D image data representing a 2D X-ray image through the imaging volume in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor uses the 3D image data and the 2D image data in deriving blood flow related information for the vessels. A display processor provides data representing a composite single displayed image including a vessel structure provided by the 3D image data and the derived blood flow related information.