Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying images of first and second image data in which geometry data is transferred from an ultrasound imaging detector to an image combination device in addition to first image data to reduce the need for calibration and registration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of registering ultrasound image data of an object and second image data of the object, wherein the second image data are three-dimensional (3-D) image data. Sets (first sets IUS) of the ultrasound image data are obtained, wherein each set of ultrasound image data consists of ultrasound image data of locations within a single plane of a coordinate system of the ultrasound image data. Sets (second sets IEX) of 2-D image data from the second image data are extracted, wherein each set of 2-D image data consists of image data of locations within a single cut plane of a coordinate system of the second image data (unit 41). One of the first sets (IUS) is compared with one of the second sets (IEX) and a measure of similarity between the first set (IUS) and the second set (IEX) is automatically generated (unit 42). The similarity is optimised by varying the first set (IUS) and/or the second set (IEX) to be compared (unit 43).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of combining first and second image data of an object (3), wherein the first image data of the object (3) are repeatedly generated by an ultrasound detector (1), wherein the second image data of the object (3) are generated separately, for example the second image data have been recorded earlier by a computer tomography, a magnetic resonance or a positron emission tomography imaging device, wherein the first image data are transferred from the ultrasound detector (1) to a combination device (5) and wherein the combination device (5) is adapted to combine the first and second image data of the object (3). Geometry data is transferred in addition to the first image data from the ultrasound detector (1) to the combination device (5), wherein the geometry data comprise information for establishing a link between the geometry of the first image data and the geometry of the second image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of registering ultrasound image data of an object and second image data of the object, wherein the second image data are three-dimensional (3-D) image data. Sets (first sets IUS) of the ultrasound image data are obtained, wherein each set of ultrasound image data consists of ultrasound image data of locations within a single plane of a coordinate system of the ultrasound image data. Sets (second sets IEX) of 2-D image data from the second image data are extracted, wherein each set of 2-D image data consists of image data of locations within a single cut plane of a coordinate system of the second image data (unit 41). One of the first sets (IUS) is compared with one of the second sets (IEX) and a measure of similarity between the first set (IUS) and the second set (IEX) is automatically generated (unit 42). The similarity is optimised by varying the first set (IUS) and/or the second set (IEX) to be compared (unit 43).

Abstract: The invention relates to the registration of ultrasound image data of an object and of three-dimensional second image data of the object. It is proposed to support a manual registration by an automatic process. Reference information defining a reference location in the ultrasound image are used, wherein the reference location is located on a surface of the object or is located at a defined distance to the surface of the object when the ultrasound detector generates the ultrasound image data. At least one surface point on the surface of the object or at a defined distance to the surface is identified in the second image. The ultrasound image data and the second image data are aligned with respect to one registration direction using the reference information and using information concerning a location of the surface point in the second image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of combining first and second image data of an object (3), wherein the first image data of the object (3) are repeatedly generated by an ultrasound detector (1), wherein the second image data of the object (3) are generated separately, for example the second image data have been recorded earlier by a computer tomography, a magnetic resonance or a positron emission tomography imaging device, wherein the first image data are transferred from the ultrasound detector (1) to a combination device (5) and wherein the combination device (5) is adapted to combine the first and second image data of the object (3).