Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining illumination distributions (18) for IMRT. A layered graph structure is used, which considers which extensions of an illumination distribution along a respective line and thus which illumination distributions are realizable, for determining extensions for the illumination distributions. Moreover, second weights defining fluences of the illumination distributions are determined such that a deviation between a provided fluence map and a fluence map formed by a combination of illumination distributions, which are defined by the respective determined extensions and the respective second weight, is minimized. This determination procedure leads to illumination distributions, which very well correspond to the provided fluence map and which are automatically realizable by the radiation device.

Abstract: A method and an image processing system for the evaluation of projection images generated by an X-ray imaging system, wherein the images may show different instruments of a given set of interventional instruments like catheters or guide wires. The instruments are equipped with markers such that their configuration is characteristic of the corresponding instrument. Preferably three markers are arranged on a straight line, the ratio of the distances between them being characteristic for the corresponding instrument. The image processing system may then identify the instruments present in a given projection and provide functionalities for a user that correspond to said instruments. Moreover, the system may be used to locate an instrument of interest in a projection image if the marker configuration of that instrument is known a priori.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical imaging system (10) for planning an implantation of a cardiac implant (42), comprising: a receiving unit (12) for receiving a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) cardiac images (14, 14?) showing different conditions of a heart (32) during a cardiac cycle; a segmentation unit (22) for segmenting within the plurality of 3D cardiac images (14, 14?) a target implant region (38) and a locally adjacent region (40) that could interfere with the cardiac implant (42); a simulation unit (24) for simulating the implantation of the cardiac implant (42) within the target implant region (40) in at least two of the plurality of 3D cardiac images (14, 14?); a collision evaluation unit (26) for evaluating an overlap (46) of the simulated cardiac implant (42) with the segmented locally adjacent region (40) in at least two of the plurality of 3D cardiac images (14, 14?); and a feedback unit (28) for providing feedback information to a user concerning the evaluated overlap (46).

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of different anatomical sub-regions of the cardiovascular system of a subject in image data of the subject based on a subject specific cardiovascular anatomical model, wherein the plurality of different regions corresponds to regions where calcifications occur, searching for and identifying calcifications in the sub-regions based on voxel grey value intensity values of the image data, and generating a signal indicative of one or more regions of voxels of the image data respectively corresponding to sub-regions including identified calcifications. A computing system (118) includes a processor that automatically determines a plurality of different groups of voxels of image data of a subject, wherein each group of voxels corresponds to a different sub-region of the cardiovascular system of the subject and each group of voxels corresponds to a region that includes a calcification identified in the image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining illumination distributions (18) for IMRT. A layered graph structure is used, which considers which extensions of an illumination distribution along a respective line and thus which illumination distributions are realizable, for determining extensions for the illumination distributions. Moreover, second weights defining fluences of the illumination distributions are determined such that a deviation between a provided fluence map and a fluence map formed by a combination of illumination distributions, which are defined by the respective determined extensions and the respective second weight, is minimized. This determination procedure leads to illumination distributions, which very well correspond to the provided fluence map and which are automatically realizable by the radiation device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising:—an image processor (34) configured to receive at least one set of volume data resulting from a three-dimensional ultrasound scan of a body (12) and to provide corresponding display data,—an anatomy detector (38) configured to detect a position and orientation of an anatomical object of interest within the at least one set of volume data,—a slice generator (40) for generating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the at least one set of volume data, wherein said slice generator (40) is configured to define respective slice locations based on the results of the anatomy detector for the anatomical object of interest so as to obtain a set of two-dimensional standard views of the anatomical object of interest, wherein the slice generator (40) is further configured to define for each two-dimensional standard view which anatomical features of the anatomical object of interest are expected to be contained, and—an evaluation unit (42)

Abstract: A system and method for automatic segmentation, performed by selecting a deformable model of an anatomical structure of interest imaged in a volumetric image, the deformable model formed of a plurality of polygons including vertices and edges, displaying the deformable model on a display, detecting a feature point of the anatomical structure of interest corresponding to each of the plurality of polygons and adapting the deformable model by moving each of the vertices toward the corresponding feature points until the deformable model morphs to a boundary of the anatomical structure of interest, forming a segmentation of the anatomical structure of interest.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and related method. The apparatus (PP) comprises an input port (IN), a classifier (CLS) and an output port (OUT). The input port is capable of receiving an image of an object acquired at a field of view (FoV) by an imager (USP). The image records a pose of the object corresponding to the imager's field of view (FoV). The classifier (CLA) is configured to use a geometric model of the object to determine, from a collection of pre-defined candidate poses, the pose of the object as recorded in the image. The output port (OUT) is configured to output pose parameters descriptive of the determined pose.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a physical property of an object, e.g., a diameter value of an anatomical structure, employs local object context information for determining a local physical property of the object. The context information may be a known or determined cross-sectional shape of the object. In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to provide volumetric image information of the object having a three-dimensional structure; determine the physical property of the object along its three-dimensional structure; determine the object context information of the object; and visualize the object context information and the physical property on a display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for simulating blood flow through a cardiovascular structure, e.g. a blood cavity such as the left ventricle outflow tract, the aortic root including the AV, plus ascending aorta, a ventricle volume, the aorta or any other cavity where blood flows through, under patient-specific boundary conditions derived from the cardiac ejection output per heart stroke. The cardiac ejection output can be estimated from volumes of a heart chamber of the patient in different filling states at two or more different points in time. The results of the flow simulation can be used to derive at least one physiological parameter or can be visualized and virtual Doppler ultrasound images may be generated to allow a physician assessing the result.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging probe and is configured for dynamically arranging presentation of visual feedback (144) for guiding manual adjustment, via the probe, of a location, and orientation, associated with the probe. The arranging is selectively based on comparisons (321) between fields of view of the probe and respective results of segmenting image data acquired via the probe. In an embodiment, the feedback does not include (175) a grayscale depiction of the image data. Coordinate system trans formations corresponding to respective comparisons may be computed. The selecting may be based upon and dynamically responsive to content of imaging being dynamically acquired via the probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptation system for adapting a deformable model comprising a plurality of model elements to an object of interest in an image data set, the adaptation system comprising a selector for selecting at least one image- driven model element from the plurality of model elements and an adapter for adapting the deformable model on the basis of optimizing a model energy of the deformable model, the model energy comprising an internal energy of the plurality of model elements and an external energy of the at least one image-driven model element, thereby adapting the deformable model. By enabling the adaptation system to selectively choose the image- driven model elements, the adaptation system of the current invention allows excluding a poorly adaptable model element from interacting with the image data set and thus from being pulled and/or pushed by the image data set into a wrong location.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus 100 comprising an input 110 for obtaining an image 102 and segmentation data 112 configured for use in segmenting a region of interest in a predetermined type of image, the input being arranged for further obtaining a segmentation data descriptor 116 of the segmentation data, the segmentation data descriptor being indicative of the predetermined type of image, and a processor 120 for (i) obtaining, based on the image, an image descriptor indicative of an actual type of the image, (ii) comparing the image descriptor to the segmentation data descriptor, and (iii) establishing, based on said comparing, a suitability indication 122 for using the segmentation data in segmenting the region of interest in the image to avoid the use of the segmentation data when the predetermined type of image insufficiently matches the actual type of the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image registration apparatus for registering a first image and a second image with respect to each other. A model, which has a fixed topology, is adapted to the first image for generating a first adapted model and to the second image for generating a second adapted model, and corresponding image elements (40, 48, 49; 50, 58, 9) are determined in the first image and in the second image based on spatial positions of first image elements in the first image with respect to the first adapted model and spatial positions of second image elements in the second image with respect to the second adapted model. Since the model has a fixed topology, corresponding image elements can relatively reliably be found based on the adapted models, even if the first and second images show objects having complex properties like a heart, thereby improving the registration quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for visualizing a conduction tract of a heart. In order to provide a visualization which is helpful in avoiding or finding the conduction tract in, for example, an invasive procedure like ablation of heart tissue, a generic heart model is adapted to geometrical data of the patient's heart, wherein model data indicating a shape and/or position of the conduction tract is modifying in accordance to the adaptation. The modification of the model data is further refined based on electrophysiological data and the refined model is used for generating a visualization.

Abstract: System (100) for enabling an interactive inspection of a region of interest (122) in a medical image (102), the system comprising display means (160) for displaying user interface elements (310, 320, 330) of actions associated with the interactive inspection of the region of interest and a processor (180) for executing one of the actions when a user selects an associated one of the user interface elements, the system further comprising establishing means (120) for establishing the region of interest in the medical image, determining means (140) for determining an anatomical property (142) of the region of interest in dependence on an image property of the region of interest, and the display means (160) being arranged for (i), in dependence on the anatomical property, establishing a display configuration (162) of the user interface elements, and (ii) displaying the user interface elements in accordance with the display configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging apparatus for imaging an object. A geometric relation determination unit (10) determines a geometric relation between first and second images of the object, wherein a marker determination unit (14) determines corresponding marker locations in the first and second images and marker appearances based on the geometric relation such that the marker appearances of a first marker to be located at a first location in the first image and of a second marker to be located at a second corresponding location in the second image are indicative of the geometric relation. The images with the markers at the respective corresponding locations are shown on a display unit (16). Since the marker appearances are indicative of the geometric relation between the images, a comparative reviewing of the images can be facilitated, in particular, if they correspond to different viewing geometries.

Abstract: Based on anatomy recognition from three-dimensional live imaging of a volume, one or more portions (204, 208) of the volume are selected in real time. In further real time response, live imaging or the portion(s) is performed with a beam density (156) higher than that used in the volume imaging. The one or more portion may be one or more imaging plane selected for optimal orientation in making an anatomical measurement (424) or display. The recognition can be based on an anatomical model, such as a cardiac mesh model. The model may be pre-encoded with information that can be associated with image locations to provide the basis for portion selection, and for placement of indicia (416, 420, 432, 436) displayable for initiating measurement within an image provided by the live portion imaging. A single TEE or TTE imaging probe (112) may be used throughout.

Abstract: A system (20) for interacting with a three-dimensional object dataset comprises a signal input (21) for receiving a signal from an interaction device (34) comprising a touch sensitive surface (35) having a typical shape of at least part of an object represented by the three-dimensional object dataset, wherein the signal is indicative of a location on the touch sensitive surface (35) that is touched. The system further comprises a mapping unit (22) for mapping the touched location to a corresponding point of the object represented by the three-dimensional object dataset. The three-dimensional object dataset is based on a signal obtained from a scanner (24) arranged for scanning the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for visualizing medical image data, the system comprising: a first display unit (110) for displaying a first view of the medical image data; an indication unit (115) for indicating a location on the displayed first view; a trigger unit (120) for triggering an event; an identification unit (125) for identifying an anatomical structure comprised in the medical image data, based on the indicated location on the displayed first view, in response to the triggered event; a selection unit (130) for selecting a part of the medical image data based on the identified anatomical structure; and a second display unit (135) for displaying a second view of the selected part of the medical image data, thereby visualizing the medical image data. Thus, the system (100) allows for visualizing an anatomical structure of interest comprised in the part of the medical image data.