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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for pretreatment planning endovascular coil placement, comprising steps of: a) analyzing three-dimensional data enabling visualization of a volume of interest containing at least a part of a blood vessel with an aneurysm; b) determining the centerline of the vessel; c) determining the aneurysm diameter; d) determining the aneurysm dome height; e) creating a three-dimensional surface model of the aneurysm in the vessel, using the results from the previous steps; f) estimating the volume expansion of one or more coils with the aid of said surface model; and g) visual simulating at least one according to the estimated virtual coil being to place inside the aneurysm.

Abstract: A system and method for planning and performing a percutaneous medical procedure is described. A three dimensional data set of a patient is registered with respect to a patient position and an interventional apparatus, which may be a C-arm X-ray device. A target within the patient is identified in the image data, and a skin entry point chosen for planning the procedure. The image data set is processed so as to compute a two dimensional fluoroscopic overlay image upon which the target and the skin entry point are displayed. The angulation of the volumetric representation of the C-arm is controlled so as to plan the guiding path for an interventional device, and the planning attempts to achieve one of a bull's eye orientation or a generalized bull's orientation. The interventional device is aligned with the guiding axis to perform the procedure, which may be monitored using X-ray progression views.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for planning a percutaneous procedure and for guiding an instrument to engage a target within a patient's body. A patient 3-dimensional image data set is provided, within which a user defines an instrument trajectory, for example, by selecting a skin entry point and a target point. A line, or “planned path,” is generated between the points. The system determines whether the path can be targeted so the optical axis of the movable arm coincides with the path so that a laser can be used for instrument guidance. Alternatively, the user can determine whether planned path can be targeted so that the C-arm can be made to coincide with the path so that the extension of the path is projected onto the detector, using x-ray radiation. If neither laser guidance or x-ray guidance can be used, the physician is prompted to re-plan the path so that at least x-ray radiation guidance can be used.

Abstract: In a method for mathematical compensation of a periodic movement of an organ in a first image-generation method used to image said organ, two time series of three-dimensional image data are acquired using gating, one by the first image-generation method and one by the second image-generation method, the image data that have been acquired by the second image-generation method being used to calculate motion fields which are applied for the compensation of the data from the time series which was acquired by the first image-generation method. The compensation encompasses the mathematical inclusion of motion fields and the mapping of the image data to a reference time. All the image data mapped back to the reference time are added together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for analyzing a biological tissue, whereby a luminescence light of a luminescence substance is detected. The aim of the invention is to increase the precision and reliability of the analysis. To this end, a permutation symmetry imbalance is generated in the tissue by a magnetic field, the permutation symmetry imbalance is modified at a pre-determined location by a magnetic alternating field, and the luminescence light is detected according to the pre-determined location.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system are provided for performing an image-assisted subject procedure. The method comprises obtaining at least a first and a second 2D projected image of a 3D subject from a first angle and a second angle. A user selects at least a first point and a second point in each of the first and second 2D images, and the system calculates 3D positions of the first point and the second point based on the selected points in the 3D images and the first and second angles. The, a 3D line is calculated between the first and second points. A further projected 2D image is created that includes the calculated 3D position of at least one of: a) one of the points; and b) the line. The subject procedure is then subsequently performed utilizing the further projected 2D image as a guide.

Abstract: Method for creating image recordings of blood vessel system of a patient, comprising: after administering contrast agent an image recording is created in a first image recording region of a first position of a detector, the diffusion of the contrast agent is observed to determine a current diffusion position; the position of the detector is changed to a second position as a function of the current diffusion position; an image recording of a second image recording region of the second position of the detector is created; and a part of an image recording in the first position extending in the region between the current diffusion position and the end of the first image recording region and recorded without contrast agent is used as a mask to evaluate a locationally correlated part, recorded with contrast agent, of the image recording in the second position for digital subtraction angiography.

Abstract: Two or more images are combined by designating one image as a threshold image based on information within the images themselves. Pixels in this threshold image are then segregating into foreground and background pixels according to some criteria. An alpha value is set to zero for background pixels indicating that these pixels in the threshold image will make no contribution in the combined image. The foreground pixels of the threshold image are set to some value greater than zero. Alpha values in the non-threshold image(s) are set such that the total value of alphas for pixels in the images to be combined totals one (indicating 100% total contribution).

Abstract: A method for guiding stent deployment during an endovascular procedure includes providing a virtual stent model of a real stent that specifies a length, diameter, shape, and placement of the real stent. The method further includes projecting the virtual stent model onto a 2-dimensional (2D) DSA image of a target lesion, manipulating a stent deployment mechanism to navigate the stent to the target lesion while simultaneously acquiring real-time 2D fluoroscopic images of the stent navigation, and overlaying each fluoroscopic image on the 2D DSA image having the projected virtual stent model image, where the 2D fluoroscopic images are acquired from a C-arm mounted X-ray apparatus, and updating the projection of the virtual stent model onto the fluoroscopic images whenever a new fluoroscopic image is acquired or whenever the C-arm is moved, where the stent is aligned with the virtual stent model by aligning stent end markers with virtual end markers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for determining the location of a object inside a patient. Three dimensional image data of the patient is obtained by an imaging modality such as a C-arm X-ray device. The same or another imaging modality may be used to obtain projection radiographic images, having a coordinate system that can be registered with respect to that of the three dimensional image. The location of one or more features of a medical treatment device such as a needle or a catheter introduced into the imaging filed of view is determined either by an operator or by image analysis, in at least two projection radiographic images, and the position of the feature located in the three-dimensional volume. The projection on a radiographic image of a vector joining a first and a second position is used to assist in guiding the medical treatment device inside of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus detects fluorescence. The apparatus, also known as a fluorescence scanner, includes an image detector, which is embodied for detecting image data in the wavelength range of fluorescent light, and an excitation light source, which is embodied for generating light in a wavelength range suitable for exciting the fluorescence. The apparatus has a guide beam projector, which is embodied for generating a guide beam from light in the visible wavelength range. The guide beam is aimed such that a projection of the guide beam, a region that is detectable by the image detector is displayed. The guide beam allows exact viewing of a body region to be examined possible for the surgeon, which is not possible on the basis only of the light for exciting a fluorescence, at least whenever the excitation light is in the non-visible wavelength range, such as IR or NIR, or is generated directly during the recording of the fluorescence image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for registration of a sequence of 2D image data (5) of a hollow channel (2), in particular of a vessel, recorded with an imaging endoluminal instrument (1) when the relative displacement positions of the instrument (1) in the hollow channel (2) are known, with 3D image data (8) of the hollow channel (2). In the method a three-dimensional path of a central axis (10) of a definable section of the hollow channel (2) is determined from the 3D image data (8), the three-dimensional path of the central axis (10) is converted into a rectilinear path by a first transformation of the 3D image data (8) of the definable section of the hollow channel (2) and transformation parameters required for the first transformation are stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording x-ray images with a C-arm system, which comprises an image recording system rotatable about a center of rotation in a recording plane, a number of x-ray fluoroscopic images of an area of interest of an object lying on an object supporting device are recorded at a plurality of angles of rotations by the image recording system, from which one or more cross-sectional images or a three dimensional can be reconstructed. The method is characterized in that the object supporting device is guided synchronously and in a non-colliding manner with the rotation of the image recording system, such that at every angle of rotation at which the recording of an image takes place, the area of interest of the object lies within a beam cone of the x-ray radiation beam of the image recording system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the joint of registering, archiving, contrast-retaining merging, and visualizing of 2D x-ray images and reconstructed 2D projections or 3D views of generated image data in minimally invasive medical interventions or operations performed under x-ray control on internal organs, areas of tissue, lesions, or pathological structures in a patient's body. A first image and the image data of a second image being mixed over the first image are mutually linked, co-registered, and merged using an alpha-channel-based mixing technique, whereby the color values or gray-scale values of the individual pixels of the first image are prior to being mixed-over with the segmented foreground of the second image brightened through the application of a color-value or gray-scale-value for compensating or lessening the reduction in contrast that occurs during mix-over in the first image before being displayed graphically on a monitor terminal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for making correction information for correcting a guidance direction of an instrument. Based on a current position of the tip of the instrument and the current guidance direction of the instrument and the position of a target point in an object, a first straight line indicating the current guidance direction and a second straight line defined by the tip of the instrument and the target point in the object are determined. The second straight line intersects the first straight line and indicates the desired guidance direction. Based on the position of the first and second straight lines relative to one another, a digital item of correction information is specified, wherein the correction image has a correction diagram located in a plane in the perspective of the current guidance direction of the instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical imaging system as well as a collision protection method for such a system. In this system the movement of a moveable part, e.g. a C-arm, is stopped or slowed down, if the part enters an individual protective zone enclosing the patient. This zone is calculated individually for each patient from the surface of the patient detected by an optical sensor.