Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for recording the movement, caused in particular by breathing, of organs of the body such as the heart (9) for example. A part (3) of the diaphragm (10) is recorded by means of an X-ray device or an ultrasound device and the current position of the diaphragm is detected in the resulting image. Information about the associated position of other internal organs can be obtained from the position of the diaphragm with the aid of a model. This information can in turn be used, in a navigation system for a catheter, to set the spatial coordinates of the latter relative to the vascular system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and an imaging method for visualizing areas (2) in a moving environment within the body of a patient (1), wherein the position of one or more markers, which are connected to an interventional device (4), is determined and used to determine the position of the areas (2) and/or of the interventional device (4) in images (6) which are recorded of the areas (2) and of their environment. According to the invention, the markers used are active locators which independently of the method used to record the images (6) generate data or signals for determining their position. Such an imaging method, which preferably uses electromagnetic locators, allows a considerably more robust representation of the visualized areas (2), with elimination of movements, than is possible using passive markers.

Abstract: In the field of airport baggage inspection, a multi-level screening procedure is used. When a first level screening system (18) detects a “suspicious region” inside a bag, it is transferred to a next level system (2) where the bag gets rescanned. According to the present invention, a device/method is provided for finding and tracking the suspicious region inside the baggage which allows to reduce the area to be rescanned significantly. For this purpose, the image from the first level system together with the position of the suspicious region within the image is transferred from the first level system to the second level system. On arrival of the bag at the second level (21), a simple X-ray transmission image is measured using an additional source/detector system (6). The two images are then rigidly registered in order to exactly determine the suspicious region in the second level scanner system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling the localization of objects, for example surgical instruments, in interventional radiology. The method utilizes the known geometrical shape of the object to be localized in order to simulate projections therefrom for comparison with real projection images. Optimum correspondence between simulation and real image yields the desired object position and object orientation. The invention is based on digital image processing and can be used in conjunction with customary radiological diagnostic apparatus such as C-arm fluoroscopy apparatus, computed tomography apparatus or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. Objects to be localized can be provided with markers whose spatial position yields an unambiguous projection image.

Abstract: Method and device for determining the position of a medical instrument, partially introduced into an object being examined, in a three-dimensional image data set of the object. In order to achieve a high accuracy of the position determination and minimize the expenditure required and thus save intricate registration steps prior to an intervention, simultaneously with the acquisition of an X-ray image, the spatial positions of the X-ray image and the spatial position of a medical instrument are acquired. Then, the spatial correlation between an X-ray image and a three-dimensional image data set is determined. This correlation is used to transform the spatial position of the medical instrument into a position relative to the three-dimensional image data set. This enables the formation of images containing image information acquired pre-operatively as well as intra-operatively, and also the reproduction of the instantaneous position of the medical instrument in the images.

Abstract: In an X-ray examination device and a method for generating distortion-free X-ray images the imaging properties are calculated and distortions are corrected by providing at least one calibration member (7, 8) for forming a reference pattern; a correction unit (13) corrects the distortions in X-ray images on the basis of the pattern of the calibration members (7, 8) actually formed in the patient X-ray image (FIG. 4) and the calculated reference pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray device, notable a device for X-ray fluoroscopy, which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for the continuous formation of X-ray images of a patient (5) from an invariable position of the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (3). The invention includes indicator means for illuminating and/or monitoring essentially the radiation zone over the patient which is traversed by X-rays. This offers the advantage that for the physician it quasi visualizes or monitors the radiation zone which is traversed by X-rays during a treatment with simultaneous formation of X-ray images so that the physician can make sure that he or she, notably his or her hands, is not inadvertently exposed to a continuous X-ray dose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray examination apparatus for and a method of forming distortion-free X-ray images, which apparatus and method enable the imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system to be derived from the patient image. To this end, a reference image (FIG. 4) is formed in a reference orientation of the X-ray examination apparatus and the reference imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system are determined on the basis of the positions of calibration members (7, 8), which are mounted on the image intensifier (2) and/or the X-ray source (3) and are reproduced, and the known geometry and position relative to the image intensifier (2) and/or the X-ray source (3); the positions of the calibration members (7, 8) reproduced in a patient X-ray image (FIG. 5) are compared with the positions of the calibration members (7, 8) in the reference image (FIG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling the localization of objects, for example surgical instruments, in interventional radiology. The method utilizes the known geometrical shape of the object to be localized in order to simulate projections therefrom for comparison with real projection images. Optimum correspondence between simulation and real image yields the desired object position and object orientation. The invention is based on digital image processing and can be used in conjunction with customary radiological diagnostic apparatus such as C-arm fluoroscopy apparatus, computed tomography apparatus or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. Objects to be localized can be provided with markers whose spatial position yields an unambiguous projection image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for determining the position of a medical instrument (13), partly introduced into an object to be examined, in a three-dimensional image data set (CT) of the object to be examined. In order to achieve an as high as possible accuracy of the position determination on the one hand and to minimize the expenditure required on the other hand, notably to save intricate registration steps prior to an intervention, the invention proposes to acquire, simultaneously with the acquisition of X-ray image (Ir), their spatial positions and the spatial position of a medical instrument (6) used, followed by determination of the spatial correlation between an X-ray image (Ir) and a three-dimensional image data set (CT), said correlation being used to transform the spatial position of the medical instrument (16) into a position relative to the three-dimensional image data set (CT).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of position detection in X-ray imaging, and to a device for carrying out such a method by means of an X-ray apparatus, a detector device, including at least two detector elements, and an indicator device. The exact association of the X-ray image with the object imaged is very important notably for intraoperative imaging. Exact knowledge of the position and orientation of the components of the X-ray apparatus associated with the imaging system is required for this purpose. However, it is often problematic that the lines of sight of the position measuring system are obscured by attending staff or other apparatus. Therefore, in the device according to the invention the detector device is mounted on the X-ray apparatus and the indicator device is provided so as to be stationary on the object to be examined or stationary relative to the object to be examined. Also described is a method of position detection in X-ray imaging by means of such a device.