Abstract: A method and processing system for providing a three-dimensional, 3D, ultrasound image along with an additional ultrasound acquisition. A location of the additional ultrasound acquisition with respect to the three-dimensional ultrasound image is determined or obtained. After obtaining the 3D ultrasound image and the additional ultrasound acquisition, initial display data is for display of only the 3D ultrasound image. In response to a user input, second display data is generated for displaying both the 3D ultrasound image and the additional ultrasound acquisition. The display of the additional ultrasound acquisition is based on the location of the additional ultrasound acquisition with respect to the three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an ultrasound image involves assessing the quality of the image in terms of which features of interest have been identified in the image and assessing a segmentation quality relating to the quality of a segmentation of the image. The two quality assessments are combined to derive and output an overall quality assessment for biometry measurements obtained from the image.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a target anatomy in ultrasound data. Scan-converted ultrasound data is obtained within a scan-converted space in the Cartesian coordinate system. The scan-converted ultrasound data is transformed to de-scanned ultrasound data within a de-scanned space in the Toroidal coordinate system. The de-scanned ultrasound data is an estimate of the ultrasound data as obtained by an original acquisition procedure. A segmentation of a target anatomy can thus be performed on the ultrasound data in the de-scanned space The resulting segmentation data can then be re-scanned back to the Cartesian coordinate system for display with the ultrasound data.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for visualizing vascular structures is disclosed. According to some implementations, in order to provide further improved digital subtraction angiography, a device for visualizing vascular structures is provided that includes a data provision processor, an image processor, and an output. The data provision processor is configured to provide a first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images of a region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray mask images. The data provision processor is also configured to provide a second sequence of contrast X-ray images of the region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray live-images. The image processor is configured to perform a first spatial subtraction for the first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images resulting in a first sequence of spatial-subtracted mask images.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for performing an assessment of a placenta. The method includes obtaining a 3D ultrasound image of a uterus (210) and segmenting the placenta (220). A 3D rendering (200) of the uterus is then generated, wherein the generating includes: identifying a position of the placenta within the uterus with respect to an anatomical structure such as the cervix (250); obtaining anatomical reference data relating to a potential risk associated with the position of the placenta within the uterus; and comparing the position of the placenta and the anatomical reference data. A 3D rendering of the uterus is generated that comprises a 3D rendering of the placenta, marked with an indicator that is altered based on the comparison of the position of the placenta and the anatomical reference data. The appearance of the indicator may vary according to e.g. risk type/severity.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus (16) is disclosed comprising a processor arrangement (46, 50) adapted to receive a temporal sequence (15) of ultrasound images (150) of at least a chest region (151) of a fetal entity (62) from an ultrasound probe (14), said chest region including the fetal heart (171), said temporal sequence capturing at least part of a cardiac cycle of the fetal heart; identify the chest region of the fetal entity in one or more of the ultrasound images of said temporal sequence; identify a portion of the spine in the identified chest region; calculate an orientation axis (160) of the fetal chest from the identified chest region and the identified spine portion; identify the septum of the fetal heart as a linear structure which is temporally more stable than its surrounding structures in said temporal sequence of ultrasound images and which defines a region of convergence of the movements of the fetal heart during said cardiac cycle; calculate an orientation axis (170) of the fetal h

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for processing a 3D fetal ultrasound image. A 3D fetal ultrasound image is obtained (either acquired or received from memory), and the spine is detected within the image. This enables a first reference axis to be defined. A second reference axis is defined perpendicular to the first reference axis, and the 3D fetal ultrasound image is updated (e.g. rotated in 3D space) using the first and second reference axes and an up/down (elevation) orientation detection. This provides a normalization of the orientation of the image, so that a machine learning approach is better able to identify landmarks within new images.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of patient monitoring following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a stent graft. It particularly applies to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A first 3D volume scan of the stent in situ is provided and a second, subsequent 3D volume scan of the stent is also provided. One or more fiducial markers are generated in a first image derived from the first scan and in a second image derived from the second scan. The fiducial markers identify recognizable features of the stent, such as the bifurcation point in the stent graft. A rigid 3D transform mapping based on the one or more fiducial markers is extracted and then a registration is applied to the first and second scans based on the 3D rigid transform between the first and second images. A size value is derived at the same location in the aneurysm from the first and second scans. The same location is determined with reference to the registered first and second images of the stent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a non-invasive measure of blood vessel rigidity for a subject. The method includes obtaining 2D ultrasound data and 3D ultrasound data of the blood vessel from a given measurement location. The 2D ultrasound data provides information relating to a movement of the blood vessel and the 3D ultrasound data provides information relating to a shape of the blood vessel. A motion of the blood vessel is then determined based on the movement of the blood vessel. The method then includes providing the determined motion of the blood vessel, the shape of the blood vessel and an obtained non-invasive pressure measurement to a biomechanical model. A measure of rigidity is then determined based on the biomechanical model.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound imaging method for determining complementary views of interest based on an anomalous feature identified in a region of interest of an ultrasound image. The method includes obtaining an ultrasound image of a region of interest of a subject and identifying an anomalous feature within said region. The identified anomalous feature may then be used to determine one or more available complementary ultrasound images of interest of the subject. The one or more available complementary ultrasound images may then be displayed to a user and the complementary ultrasound views to be reviewed may then be selected by the user from the displayed available complementary ultrasound images.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for guiding the acquisition of an ultrasound image. A 3D ultrasound image is acquired by an ultrasound probe at a first position and an anatomical structure is identified within the 3D ultrasound image. A target imaging plane is estimated based on the identified anatomical structure and it is determined whether the target imaging plane is present within the 3D ultrasound image. If the target imaging plane is present, a displacement between a central plane of the 3D ultrasound image and the target plane is determined. If the displacement is below a predetermined threshold, the target imaging plane is extracted and if the displacement is above the predetermined threshold, an instruction to acquire a 3D ultrasound image with the ultrasound probe at a second position, different from the first position, is generated based on the displacement. The invention further provides a method for estimating a target imaging plane.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for estimating the weight of a fetus. A plurality of different three dimensional ultrasound images of an imaging region are acquired, wherein the plurality of different three dimensional ultrasound images comprise: a head image; an abdominal image; and a femur image. Each of the plurality of different three dimensional ultrasound images undergoes segmentation and the fetal weight estimation is performed based on the resulting segmentations.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for visualizing vascular structures is disclosed. According to some implementations, in order to provide further improved digital subtraction angiography, a device for visualizing vascular structures is provided that includes a data provision processor, an image processor, and an output. The data provision processor is configured to provide a first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images of a region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray mask images. The data provision processor is also configured to provide a second sequence of contrast X-ray images of the region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray live-images. The image processor is configured to perform a first spatial subtraction for the first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images resulting in a first sequence of spatial-subtracted mask images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing vascular structures. In order to provide further improved digital subtraction angiography, a device (10) for visualizing vascular structures is provided that comprises a data provision unit (12), a data processing module (14), and an output unit (16). The data provision unit is configured to provide a first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images of a region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray mask images. The data provision unit is also configured to provide a second sequence of contrast X-ray images of the region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray live-images. The processing unit is configured to perform a first spatial subtraction for the first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images resulting in a first sequence of spatial-subtracted mask images. The processing unit is also configured to perform a second spatial subtraction for the second sequence of contrast X-ray images resulting in a second sequence of spatial-subtracted X-ray live-images.

Abstract: A method and processing system for providing a three-dimensional, 3D, ultrasound image along with an additional ultrasound acquisition. A location of the additional ultrasound acquisition with respect to the three-dimensional ultrasound image is determined or obtained. After obtaining the 3D ultrasound image and the additional ultrasound acquisition, initial display data is for display of only the 3D ultrasound image. In response to a user input, second display data is generated for displaying both the 3D ultrasound image and the additional ultrasound acquisition. The display of the additional ultrasound acquisition is based on the location of the additional ultrasound acquisition with respect to the three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound guidance method and system for an ultrasound imaging system in which user-defined start and end locations define a volume to be imaged. Guidance instructions for an ultrasound process performed on the defined volume may thereby be generated, to help guide the movement of an ultrasound probe during the ultrasound imaging process. The movement of the ultrasound probe is monitored using an ultrasound probe tracker to ensure that the user is adhering to the guidance instructions.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for processing a 3D fetal ultrasound image. A 3D fetal ultrasound image is obtained (either acquired or received from memory), and the spine is detected within the image. This enables a first reference axis to be defined. A second reference axis is defined perpendicular to the first reference axis, and the 3D fetal ultrasound image is updated (e.g. rotated in 3D space) using the first and second reference axes and an up/down (elevation) orientation detection. This provides a normalization of the orientation of the image, so that a machine learning approach is better able to identify landmarks within new images.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus (16) is disclosed comprising a processor arrangement (46, 50) adapted to receive a temporal sequence (15) of ultrasound images (150) of at least a chest region (151) of a fetal entity (62) from an ultrasound probe (14), said chest region including the fetal heart (171), said temporal sequence capturing at least part of a cardiac cycle of the fetal heart; identify the chest region of the fetal entity in one or more of the ultrasound images of said temporal sequence; identify a portion of the spine in the identified chest region; calculate an orientation axis (160) of the fetal chest from the identified chest region and the identified spine portion; identify the septum of the fetal heart as a linear structure which is temporally more stable than its surrounding structures in said temporal sequence of ultrasound images and which defines a region of convergence of the movements of the fetal heart during said cardiac cycle; calculate an orientation axis (170) of the fetal h

Abstract: The invention provides a method of patient monitoring following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a stent graft. It particularly applies to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A first 3D volume scan of the stent in situ is provided and a second, subsequent 3D volume scan of the stent is also provided. One or more fiducial markers are generated in a first image derived from the first scan and in a second image derived from the second scan. The fiducial markers identify recognizable features of the stent, such as the bifurcation point in the stent graft. A rigid 3D transform mapping based on the one or more fiducial markers is extracted and then a registration is applied to the first and second scans based on the 3D rigid transform between the first and second images. A size value is derived at the same location in the aneurysm from the first and second scans. The same location is determined with reference to the registered first and second images of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing vascular structures. In order to provide further improved digital subtraction angiography, a device (10) for visualizing vascular structures is provided that comprises a data provision unit (12), a data processing module (14), and an output unit (16). The data provision unit is configured to provide a first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images of a region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray mask images. The data provision unit is also configured to provide a second sequence of contrast X-ray images of the region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray live-images. The processing unit is configured to perform a first spatial subtraction for the first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images resulting in a first sequence of spatial-subtracted mask images. The processing unit is also configured to perform a second spatial subtraction for the second sequence of contrast X-ray images resulting in a second sequence of spatial-subtracted X-ray live-images.