Abstract: The invention relates to a method for post-processing a 3D image data set of a vessel structure of a human or animal body, in which a 2D DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) of the vessel structure is recorded and registered with the 3D image data set. The 2D DSA is compared with a corresponding projection image computed from the 3D data set and this is changed, e.g. by changing the segmentation parameters, to adapt it to the 2D DSA. This enables the outstanding local resolution of the 2D DSA to be used for improving the 3D image data set.

Abstract: A method for forming at least a part of a preferably endovascular interventional aid with the aid of self-organizing nanorobots consisting of catoms and an associated system are provided. A form of the required interventional aid is determined from at least one 3D image data record of a target region. The determined form is converted to a readable and executable program code for the respective catoms of the nanorobots and is transferred to a storage unit. The program code is executed which prompts self-organization of the previously unstructured catoms to form the required interventional aid according to the previously determined form.

Abstract: A tip of an elongate device is navigated into a particular tissue volume in order to examine the particular tissue volume in a body and part of the tissue volume is analyzed in real-time by way of a biosensor. In at least one embodiment, in the process, either the biosensor can be arranged on the tip of the device or the device includes a catheter, by which a substance to be analyzed is transported out of the tissue volume from the tip to the biosensor arranged at the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for normalizing the results of an in-vitro analytical method for one or more diagnostically and/or prognostically relevant substances in an organism (biomarker) or one or more substances supplied to an organism from the outside. In at least one embodiment of the method a) one or more concentration values of the substance(s) in an organism, said concentration value(s) being obtained in an in-vitro analytical method is (are) provided, b) data obtained from an imaging study of the same organism are provided, c) from the data according to b), one or more quantitative values are determined as imaging value(s), d) from the values according to a) and c), one or more diagnostic parameters are determined by relating the values according to a) and c) to one another, and also to the use of this method for the type-correct dosage finding of drugs and for the in-vitro diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring the course of a disease.

Abstract: In order to enable improved and faster performance of punctures, a method is provided for technically supporting guidance to a target during a puncture of an examination object. A 3D data set of a body volume of the examination object that is to be treated is segmented. A puncture target is marked in the segmented 3D data set. The available puncture sites are assessed in terms of their suitability as insertion points on the basis of the information obtained through the segmentation.

Abstract: A determination method for reinitialization of a temporal sequence of fluoroscopic images of an examination region of an examination object is provided. The examination region comprises a vascular system including arteries and/or veins. An acquisition time is assigned to each of the images representing a given distribution of a substance in the examination region at the acquisition time. A computer receives the temporal sequence of the images, determines an evaluation image corresponding spatially on a pixel-by-pixel basis to the images, and calculates a differential value between a pixel of the evaluation image at a time and a pixel at a preceding time during a time characteristic of the sequence. A reinitialization of the temporal sequence of the images is performed at a specific time and thereafter the determination method is started over and/or repeated. The specific time is determined as a function of at least one previously calculated differential value.

Abstract: A method for computing a color-coded analysis image of an examination area of an examination object from a temporal sequence of fluoroscopic images of the examination area comprising a vascular system containing arteries and/or veins is provided. An acquisition time instant has been assigned to each of the fluoroscopic images representing a given distribution of a material embolizing some of the vascular system. The fluoroscopic image spatially corresponds to an analysis image pixel by pixel. A computer receives the fluoroscopic images with a color attribute assigned to each pixel of the analysis image at an image point and a time instant. If a pixel differs from a pixel at a preceding time instant, the color attribute assumes a color attribute of the time instant and the difference. If a pixel corresponds to a background color of the analysis image, the color attribute assumes a background color.

Abstract: With a method for supporting an interventional medical operation, a 3-dimensional image data set is recorded before the method. A positioning system is coupled with the coordinates system of the 3-dimensional image data set. The instrument is positioned and the position of the instrument in the 3-dimensional image data set is determined as an instrument image data point. Two further target image data points are determined in the target region, in which the instrument is to be guided. A plane is defined in this way. In this plane, the image data is used for a 2-dimensional display. Both the instrument image data point and also the two target image data points can be identified on the display, so that the target region of an interventional operation and an interventional medical device are displayed on an image at the same time. The image can be tracked during the interventional medical operation.

Abstract: To enable a rapid and safe automatic recognition of the position of the catheter, particularly for an electrophysiological examination with an automatic control system of an electrode catheter, a two-stage image evaluation of an x-ray fluoroscopy image is provided. In the first analysis step, frequency polygons are herewith developed as potential locations of the catheter with the aid of structures contained in the image. In the second analysis step, only the previously identified potential catheter positions are investigated with the aid of a template method and the actual catheter position is identified.

Abstract: In a method or system for performing an image-assisted medical procedure involving placing a medical device in a 3D human subject, at least first and second 2D projected images are obtained of the 3D subject at a respective first angle and at a respective second angle, the 3D subject having at least one of the points selected from the group consisting of a start point and an end point for guidance of the medical device. At least one of the start point and the end point are identified in each of the first and second 2D images. 3D positions of at least one of the start point and the end point are calculated. At least one of these start and end point 3D positions are overlaid as a back-projection to a live 2D image. The procedure is performed utilizing the live 2D image with at least one of the start and end points as a guide to place the medical device. The medical device may comprise, for example, a wire or a needle.

Abstract: An in vitro method is for diagnosing a tumor disease in a patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a device, which can be implanted into a patient, for an in vivo measurement. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter for guiding a sample of the patient town analysis unit in the device. A measurement result is determined in the analysis unit by analyzing the sample with the aid of a reagent. In an embodiment, the device furthermore includes an interchange chamber, with the aid of which the reagent can be removed from the device or can be inserted into the device. The interchange chamber has a connector allowing removal or insertion of the reagent while the device is implanted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for locating a medical instrument during an intervention performed on the human body using an X-ray image recording system and an electromagnetic locating system whose systems of coordinates have been or will be mutually registered, with a first item of positional information about the instrument being obtained continuously by means of the locating system and in each case two two-dimensional X-ray images positioned at an angle to each other being intermittently recorded by means of the X-ray image recording system, from which images a second item of positional information about the instrument is determined and compared with the first item of positional information, after which the first item of positional information will be corrected depending on the comparison result taking account of the second item of positional information obtained from the X-ray images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for correcting motion in imaging during a medical intervention, by which method a 3D tomographic image of a target area for the intervention is first recorded while there are one or more medical instruments in the target area that will remain there during the intervention. During the intervention 2D fluoroscopic images of the target area are recorded and registered with the 3D image. The registration is therein adjusted for each 2D fluoroscopic image in realtime based in each case on the one or more instruments. The 2D fluoroscopic images are then in each case visualized with representations, concurring in terms of perspective, of the 3D image. Virtually error-free overlaying of the 3D image with in each case one 2D fluoroscopic image can be implemented using the present method and associated device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for marking three-dimensional structures on two-dimensional projection images of an object, with which a position marker is determined on two projection images of the object recorded from different projection directions, from which the position of the position marker in the three-dimensional space is calculated so that further, subsequently recorded projection images can be displayed superimposed by the position marker.

Abstract: In order to improve the quality of cross-sectional images, which have been recorded along a longitudinal axis of a vessel of a body, it is proposed to add successive cross-sectional images to an overall cross-sectional image. Artifacts in the cross-sectional images are hereby weakened and pathological structures to be detected are high-lighted.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the graphical representation of a medical instrument inserted at least partially into an object under examination, with an image representing the medical instrument being generated, in that the instrument image is vectorized, with the medical instrument being represented as a polyline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering intra-operative image data set with pre-operative 3D image data set, including: spatially calibrating an optical 3D sensor system with an intra-operative imaging modality, intra-operatively detecting the surface of an examination area of interest with the 3D sensor system to produce an intra-operative surface mask, intra-operatively recording the area of interest for examination with the intra-operative modality at least partly containing the intra-operative surface mask to obtain an intra-operative image data set, computing the same surface from the pre-operative 3D image data set containing the detected surface to obtain a pre-operative surface mask, registering the intra-operative and pre-operative surface mask with each other, determining a mapping specification between pre-operative 3D image data set and intra-operative image data set based on the calibration and the registration, and overlaying the intra-operative image data set with the pre-operative

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for imaging using an image-generating, endoluminal instrument (1) by means of which a sequence of 2D image data of a hollow channel (2), in particular a vessel, of an object under investigation is recorded, wherein the images are recorded in a known temporal relation to a periodic movement of the object under investigation and spatial coordinates of the image are captured by means of a position sensor during each recording of an image (5) and stored as position data (9, 10) together with the 2D image data of the image (5). The method is characterized in that first position data (10) which does not lie in a predefinable movement phase of the object under investigation is corrected, before or after being stored, by interpolation between second position data (9) which does lie in the specified movement phase and/or by subtraction or addition of predetermined values.

Abstract: The device according to the invention ensures accurate and in particular sensitive navigation of the probe, which can be inserted into a body, despite the fact that the remote control uses simple means, by means of a movement (MR;MB;MP) corresponding intuitively to the navigation of a probe using the control device (1). Intuitive operation can be converted in particular using an inventive U-shaped embodiment of the control device (1). Sensitive controllability can be increased by transmitting the mechanical interaction between the probe and an environment under examination to the control device (1) and thus directly to the operating hand (3) by means of inventive feedback.