Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for automated planning of an access path for a percutaneous, minimally invasive intervention on an area of the body, in particular on the lungs. In the method, 3D image data of the body area are prepared, from which bones and elements endangered by the intervention are automatically segmented. In a display of the 3D image data and/or of image data derived therefrom, a target position is marked in the 3D image data by a user. On the basis of one or more predefined path geometries, the target position and the segmented data, a planning module automatically determines one or more access paths to the target position which do not run through bones and which do not intersect any elements endangered by the intervention, or intersect only a minimal number of elements endangered by the intervention.

Abstract: A method for assigning a lymph node in a medical image with an anatomical name, the method including: identifying landmarks in a medical image; computing features relative to the landmarks given a location of a lymph node in the medical image; and assigning an anatomical name to the location of the lymph node by using a classifier that compares the computed features with classification rules.

Abstract: A method is proposed for virtual endoscopy for medical 3D image display and processing in computed tomography. The method includes providing a first evaluation volume on the basis of a 3D data volume and providing an observer path through the first evaluation volume. To allow automatic calculation of the observer path, even for the case in which no continuous path can be found through the evaluation volume, the present concept has provision for automatic ascertainment of at least one further evaluation volume, which is separate from the first evaluation volume, on the basis of the 3D data volume according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for registering volume data records of the intestine which were recorded in different positions of a patient. In at least one embodiment of the method, an approximate registration is firstly performed on the basis of central lines. In a subsequent detailed registration, the approximate registration is refined on the basis of local anatomical features in the intestine, for example by using the profile of folds and/or the distance of intestinal sections from fixed points of the intestine. At least one embodiment of the method and/or the apparatus permit a more accurate registration of the at least two volume data records.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying image data of a large intestine of a patient on the basis of tomographic examination data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning of the patient, after ingestion of a contrast agent, in at least two differently aligned positions using a tomography system and generating a tomographic image data record for each position; segmenting the large intestine in the tomographic data records; detecting and marking regions of the segmented large intestine with adjacent remaining stool in the intestine (covered regions); registering the segmented large intestine in the at least two tomographic image data records; displaying a tomographic display of the segmented large intestine including markings of the covered regions; and displaying a selection menu in which tomographic displays of the segmented large intestine in the at least two differently aligned positions of the patient, including a marking of the covered regions, can be selected alternatively.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for post-processing of a 3D image data record which has been recorded by way of an imaging tomographic appliance of a body area, and covers at least one hollow organ which is at least partially filled with contrast agent. An imaging apparatus is also disclosed. In the method, an automatic three-dimensional edge detection process is carried out in the 3D image data record in order to determine transitions between areas which have contrast agent and a wall of the hollow organ as boundary surfaces. A weighted high-pass filtering process is carried out at right angles to the boundary surfaces and leads to removal of the areas which have contrast agent and in which process areas around the transitions are given a lower weighting than areas which are further away from the transitions.

Abstract: A method is for preparing the appraisal of tomographic colon pictures, in particular of CT or MR pictures of the colon, in the case of which both a manual personal search takes place during which the lesions thus detected are confirmed, and a search for lesions carried out by a computer, if appropriate with automatic preliminary confirmation, takes place, the appraising person also rechecking the computer aided preliminary confirmations. In the method, those lesions that have already been classified as known and confirmed after a comparison with the set of the lesions already detected manually are excluded from the set of the lesions detected with computer assistance and that are to be presented again for personal confirmation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated technique for analyzing the affected region due to an embolism in an organ. A segmented image of the organ vasculature is generated using image volume data received, for example, from a Computed Tomography (CT) machine. An embolus is then identified (either manually or automatically) within the segmented image, and the volume of the organ affected by the embolism is automatically determined. The volume of the organ affected by the embolism may be determined by computing a sub-tree within the segmented image, where the sub-tree comprises vessels that are distal to the identified embolus point. In one embodiment, the sub-tree is generated by determining a plane perpendicular to a vessel at the embolus point such that the sub-tree comprises a distal portion of the vasculature with respect to the plane. Unwanted overlapping trees are identified (e.g., by analyzing branch angles) and removed from the sub-tree.

Abstract: In a method and device for compression of image data, in particular medical image data, the image data are initially compressed by means of a lossy compression method with a predetermined starting compression factor. The compressed image data are then analyzed to determine a quality value relative to a defined quality measure and the quality value is compared with a desired quality value predetermined relative to a defined quality measure. A new compression of the image data or further compression of the image data already compressed in a preceding step then ensues with a different compression factor and/or with a different compression method when the quality value deviates by a specific degree from the desired quality value.

Abstract: A method is for preparing the appraisal of tomographic colon pictures, in particular of CT or MR pictures of the colon, in the case of which both a manual personal search takes place during which the lesions thus detected are confirmed, and a search for lesions carried out by a computer, if appropriate with automatic preliminary confirmation, takes place, the appraising person also rechecking the computer aided preliminary confirmations. In the method, those lesions that have already been classified as known and confirmed after a comparison with the set of the lesions already detected manually are excluded from the set of the lesions detected with computer assistance and that are to be presented again for personal confirmation.

Abstract: In a method for respiration-dependent triggering of a data acquisition event in an imaging procedure, a navigation system is employed in order to reproduce the position of a body part moving due to respiration on a scale, particularly a linear scale. Triggering for the exposure of an image ensues at prescribed positions of a pointer relative to the scale, i.e. at prescribed scale values.

Abstract: A method is proposed for automatically detecting a structure in an image. The method includes providing a starting region in a displayed image and prescribing a target structure. To make such a method more effective and more reliable, the concept proposed here restricts the starting region to a search region. Only then is there provision for a structure which is similar to the target structure to be automatically sought in the search region.

Abstract: A medical imaging diagnostic method can be simultaneously simplified and improved within the context of medical 3D image display and processing. To this end, the method for medical 3D image display and processing includes prescribing an observer position, a search beam and a pixel value for a surface of a 3D evaluation volume. To simplify and improve matters, a first pixel on the search beam is determined on the basis of the pixel value. The search beam is expanded to an extended search region on the far side of the first pixel, and a second pixel on the search beam in the extended search region is determined as a pixel which is alternative or additional to the first pixel on the basis of an extended pixel value range with one or more extended pixel values. At least one of the first pixel and the second pixel is then displayed.

Abstract: A method is for determining regions of a body part that are undersupplied owing to a vessel closure, in which a three-dimensional image data record of the body part is compiled with the aid of a tomograph. Vessels of the body part are segmented from the image data record, at least one vessel closure is localized in the segmented vessels, and the region of the body part that is undersupplied owing to the localized vessel closure is determined in the image data record. Further, a residual opening cross section is determined at the localized vessel closure as a ratio of the total cross section of the vessel, and the ratio or a value derived therefrom is visualized. The method permits a more accurate statement on the effects of a vessel closure.

Abstract: A method is proposed for virtual endoscopy for medical 3D image display and processing in computed tomography. The method includes providing a first evaluation volume on the basis of a 3D data volume and providing an observer path through the first evaluation volume. To allow automatic calculation of the observer path, even for the case in which no continuous path can be found through the evaluation volume, the present concept has provision for automatic ascertainment of at least one further evaluation volume, which is separate from the first evaluation volume, on the basis of the 3D data volume according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: In a method for displaying the tip of a medical instrument situated in the body of the patient during a medical interventional procedure by means of an imaging method, data representing a number of planar slices of the patient are repeatedly acquired during the interventional procedure, and the data are subsequently analyzed to determine in which of the slices the tip of the instrument is situated. A signal that marks the slice is generated and a tomogram that corresponds to the slice marked by the signal is reconstructed and displayed.

Abstract: In a method for respiration-dependent triggering of a data acquisition event in an imaging procedure, a navigation system is employed in order to reproduce the position of a body part moving due to respiration on a scale, particularly a linear scale. Triggering for the exposure of an image ensues at prescribed positions of a pointer relative to the scale, i.e. at prescribed scale values.

Abstract: In a method and CT device for scanning an examination subject, a radiation beam emanates from a focus of a radiation source which can be displaced around a system axis and strikes a detector system. If, during scanning, a body part of an examiner moves into an examination space covered by the radiation beam, this is automatically detected and the effective radiation is automatically reduced for a volumetric region which includes the body part of the examiner, with respect to a comparable second volumetric region, in which no body part of the examiner is located. The effect of this is to diminish the radiation dose to the examiner. Control for this purpose is performed, for example, by varying the tube current, by adjusting a beam diaphragm, or by an absorber inserted into the beam path. A parameter associated with the body part of the examiner also is detected and the size of the first volumetric region is automatically adjusted dependent on this parameter.

Abstract: A medical technical system computing unit for calculating a multi-dimensional image dataset from subject signals supplied to the computing unit and obtained from the examination of a subject with at least one pre-operative imaging method. A virtual, multi-dimensional image that can be calculated from the multi-dimensional image dataset via the computing unit can be displayed on a display unit. A controllable window can be displayed at the display unit via a window generator allocated to the computing unit. The image at the display means corresponding to a virtual location of the controllable window controllable is produced via a control unit allocated to the computing unit.

Abstract: In a method for operating a computed tomography (CT) device, having a detector system formed by an array of detector elements that are arranged in rows that extend substantially in the direction of the system axis and also are arranged in columns, the generation of an X-ray shadow image ensues by implementation of a volume scanning, extraction of the data belonging to a desired projection direction from data supplied by a number of rows of the detector system given the volume scanning, and reconstruction of the X-ray shadow image on the basis of the extracted data.