Abstract: The invention concerns a method of visualization of a part of a three-dimensional image. The part is defined by a finite predetermined volume, a sphere, for example, the center of which is located on an element of interest present in the three-dimensional image. In order to do so, a point is selected on the element of interest, a sphere is created in the three-dimensional image, the dimensions of which are predetermined and the center of which is the point on the element of interest, an intersection is made between the sphere and the three-dimensional image, and then the part of the three-dimensional image contained in the sphere is displayed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for identifying vascular structure in an image including: receiving at least one image including a vascular network; identifying at least one seed point corresponding to the vascular network; identifying automatically at least a portion of the vascular network to form an original vascular identification based at least in part on the at least one seed point; and allowing a dynamic user interaction with the vascular identification to form an iterative vascular identification. In an embodiment, the iterative vascular identification is formable in real-time. In an embodiment, the iterative vascular identification is displayable in real-time. In an embodiment, the iterative vascular identification is formable without re-identifying substantially unaltered portions of the vascular identification.

Abstract: A system and method for segmenting and editing anatomical objects from medical images is disclosed. The system may be a medical diagnostic imaging system. A computer unit may execute computer software for segmenting anatomical objects from medical images. The computer software may extract an anatomical object from planar curves. The computer software may extract an anatomical object by computing the centerline of the anatomical object. A set of reformatted images may then be derived based on the centerline of the object. A user may then provide input in the form of user drawn contours on a plurality of reformatted images. In an embodiment the reformatted images may include a reformatted longitudinal view, a curved reformatted view, or a lumen view. The user drawn contours may correspond to the boundaries of the anatomical object to be segmented. The anatomical object may then be extracted based on the user drawn contours.

Abstract: A medical imaging device and method having a display screen, a processor for processing image data in order to display the data in the form of a 3D model, and a user interface. The processor acquires at least two points positioned in the 3D model via the user interface; deduces the positioning of an axis defined by the two points in the 3D model, and reorients the 3D model in such a manner that the axis as indicated in this way is to be found in a predefined orientation relative to the plane of the display screen.

Abstract: A method and system for medical image display comprising means for acquiring two-dimensional images; means for displaying images; means for managing the display of a three-dimensional representation on the means display and for automatically orienting the three-dimensional representation according to at least one operating parameter of the means for acquisition means so that the three-dimensional representation is viewed on the means for display from a viewpoint corresponding to that from which the means for image acquisition acquire or have acquired a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: The method comprises a phase of reconstruction of a static three-dimensional image of the object from a first set of digitized two-dimensional projected images of the object respectively obtained for different positions of a camera around the object, a phase of acquisition of at least a second set of n static two-dimensional projected images respectively obtained for a same first position of the camera and at n successive propagation times of the contrast medium, and a phase of reconstruction of the dynamic three-dimensional image of the object from each static two-dimensional image of the second set and the reconstructed static three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing an image of an organ or body part from at least two images of the organ or body part taken using radiography in two positions of the organ or body part separated by a rolling movement of the organ or body part. The rolling movement of the organ or body part is determined between two positions, extracting motion vectors for the surface of the organ or body part, interpolating motion vectors between the motion vectors extracted, and reconstructing an image of the organ or body part. The method and apparatus allows the three-dimensional structure of the tissue to be reconstructed while reducing ambiguities due to the presence of a lesion overlaying the tissue.

Abstract: A method of cardiac radiological examination for coronarography comprises the steps of: a) introducing contrast medium simultaneously in the left coronary artery and in the right coronary artery from the aortic root and, in parallel, b) acquiring a sequence of dynamic images of the propagation of the contrast medium in the left and right coronary arteries with a displacement of the image plane, during the acquisition of said images, along a determined trajectory (E28). The contrast medium can be introduced in a cyclic manner during the acquisition of dynamic images, each cycle of introduction corresponding to a phase of closure of the aortic valve in the cardiac rhythm. 3D and 4D images with optimal efficiency can be obtained in the use of contrast medium. An injection device for producing the above cycles is synchronized with the introduction of the contrast medium.

Abstract: A method for selecting and/or labeling a vessel image includes operating an imaging system to obtain reconstructed image data including a volume having vessels therein. A bone removal routine is then applied to the reconstructed image data to produce a bone-free image. An initial point on a main vessel in the bone-free image is located, and bifurcation points and branches departing from the main vessel are identified. An adjacency graph of each branch coming from the main vessel is built. The method includes either or both of selecting and displaying a best or at least a favorable path through the vessels in accordance with predetermined criteria using the adjacency branch, or labeling and displaying branches of the main vessel.

Abstract: Method and system for processing vascular radiography images which have been reconstructed by three-dimensional modelling, in which: from this three-dimensional modelling there is determined a three-dimensional model known as the masked model which features the calcified elements and the prosthetic elements, but not the vascular elements; a three-dimensional model known as the subtracted model, which features the vascular elements alone, is determined; these two models are merged, weighting their voxels so as to increase the contrast between the images of the masked model and the images of the subtracted model; and summing the voxels thus weighted.

Abstract: A method for analyzing tissue classes along a tubular structure defined by voxels is disclosed. A tubular shaped region of interest (ROI) is constructed along a predetermined centerline of the tubular structure according to the following: at least one point is defined along the centerline to define the extremities of the ROI; a diameter corresponding to the ROI is defined and/or computed; contiguous unit volumes are applied along the centerline between the extremities of the ROI; a first volume is computed by the union of the unit volumes; and, a final volume of the ROI is defined as the connex part of the first volume that contains the middle of the tubular structure. The final volume is then analyzed with respect to tissue classes present therein.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a medical intervention procedure is disclosed. A first image acquisition system is configured to produce a fluoroscopy image of an anatomical region. A second image acquisition system is configured to produce a 3D model of the anatomical region. An interventional tracking system, which includes a position indicator, is configured to maneuver within the anatomical region. A first anatomical reference system is common to both the first and the second image acquisition systems, and a second anatomical reference system is common to both the first image acquisition system and the interventional tracking system.

Abstract: A method of performing a colon exam includes obtaining at least two initial Computed Tomography (CT) datasets, extracting colon automatically from the CT datasets, synthesizing views of the extracted colon, displaying a plurality of obtained and synthesized views of the colon simultaneously, and synchronizing the views.

Abstract: A method for filtering images is provided. The method includes obtaining at least one set of image data of a subject using an imaging system, removing at least one slice of image data from the at least one set to form a filtered set, and reconstructing images from the filtered set.

Abstract: An automatic segmentation of the left or right cavities of the heart muscle is carried out. Once it is decided which cavities have to be isolated, three steps are implemented. A first step is performed to determine which is the volume comprising the cardiac cavities in a volume image resulting from an examination. This first step comprises a thresholding operation and an erosion, and then the determining of the greatest connected component. In a second step, an identification) is made of the left and right cavities. In a third step, a precise reconstruction is made of the contours of the left or right cavities for which it is sought to make the segmentation. The reconstruction is done by the watershed algorithm.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for displaying a set of data with a virtually dissected anatomical structure. In an embodiment, the anatomical structure is a colon and various attributes of the colonic lumen are assigned a color. In an embodiment, a virtual dissection of the colon is created by mapping a three-dimensional data set to a two dimensional data set. A plurality of display index values are computed which correspond to the three-dimensional data set. Various colors are assigned to specific display index values. The three-dimensional display index values are mapped to a two-dimensional set of display index values. As directed by a user, various color cues may be displayed with the virtually dissected lumen to provide color highlights to various aspects of the colon, such as highlighting shape, fluid, or fecal presence.

Abstract: A method for filtering images is provided. The method includes obtaining at least one set of image data of a subject using an imaging system, removing at least one slice of image data from the at least one set to form a filtered set, and reconstructing images from the filtered set.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a multi-phase axial cardiac dataset, receiving a selection of a phase from a user, when the received selection is systole, generating an endocardial volume of a left ventricle at an end systole phase without further user intervention, and when the received selection is diastole, generating an endocardial volume of the left ventricle at an end diastole phase without further user intervention.

Abstract: A method for generating views of a heart along anatomically useful planes includes receiving a cardiac 3D dataset and calculating at least one of a short axis and a long axis without user intervention.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for automatically synchronizing multiple images. Multiple image sets of a single object are converted into a one dimensional data stream used to synchronize multiple image sets. A common reference point is located in the image sets. Various landmarks of the object are also located in the image sets. Corresponding landmarks among the image sets are noted. Distances from landmarks to the reference point and distances between landmarks are determined. Locations of the landmarks in relation to each other and in relation to the reference point are used to locate landmarks in another image set that correspond to landmarks in a selected image set. A first location in an image set may be identified using a first indicator. A second indicator corresponding to the location of the first indicator may then be determined in another image set.