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: The invention relates to a method for tomographically displaying a cavity by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to an OCT device, wherein the path length of a measuring light beam in the catheter can change as a result of a movement of the catheter and brings about a change in the display scale, wherein a possible change in the path length of the measuring light beam in the event of a movement of the catheter is electronically determined and automatically compensated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making visible a pathological change in a part of a patient's body labeled with a fluorescent dye, the device having: a first selectable light source (11, 17), which emits light in the excitation wavelength range of the fluorescent dye, in order to trigger the emission of light in the emission wavelength range of the fluorescent dye, a second selectable light source, which emits visible light outside the emission wavelength of the fluorescent dye, and a means for selectively switching the first and the second light source on and off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the combined representation of a series of 2D fluoroscopic images of the beating heart with a static 3D image data set of the same heart. The fluoroscopic images are registered with the 3D image data set and from this a 2D pseudo-projection on to the image plane of each fluoroscopic image generated in each case. This is then represented with the associated fluoroscopic image overlaid. The method is characterized in that the pseudo-projection is represented differently in each case or is not represented depending on the interval of the cardiac phase of the currently represented fluoroscopic image relative to the cardiac phase of the 3D image data set.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image datasets are used to assist in the visualization of an interventional procedure. The three-dimensional image datasets are registered to two-dimensional images acquired by a medical imaging device. A display device can display a fusion visualization of the three-dimensional image datasets and the two-dimensional image. A monitoring device can monitor the progress of a medical instrument used in the interventional procedure. A processor can incorporate the position of the medical instrument in the fusion visualization displayed by the display device.

Abstract: A number of two-dimensional projection images of a three-dimensional examination object are assigned image times and imaging parameters. The projection images are combined into reconstruction groups including projection images with image times specifically assigned or within a time interval specific to the reconstruction groups. The reconstruction groups are determined in such a way that three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-dependent local resolution can be determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups; it is not possible to determine three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-independent local resolution. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination are determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups. Reconstruction times are determined based on the image times assigned to the projection images of the reconstruction groups and assigned to the three-dimensional reconstructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for “truncation correction” in an x-ray system, i.e. a correction method during the reconstruction of projection images of an object recorded from different projection angles, if parts of the object do not lie in the field of view of each projection image. The surface of the object is thereby optically detected and used during the reconstruction of projection images to supplement the missing image data.

Abstract: A generation of sectional images of tissue is provided. In this arrangement a first light-conducting fiber of a device for generating sectional tissue images according to the optical coherence tomography principle, which light-conducting fiber is rotatably accommodated within a catheter tube, is additionally connected to a device for generating light in a further wavelength range and for detecting fluorescent light. With its use sectional tissue images produced according to the optical coherence tomography principle can be superimposed with fluorescent images.

Abstract: A medical instrument for introduction into the body of a living being is provided. The instrument including a first signal line and is connected for signal transmission to a signal detection device for generating sectional tissue images. Additionally, the instrument includes a second signal line for detection of fluorescence light.

Abstract: Catheter device for insertion into an area being examined, in particular into a vessel or cavity-containing organ in the body of a person or animal, wherein in the area of the catheter tip a device (3) is provided for emitting excitation light for light-optically exciting an area being examined surrounding the catheter tip, furthermore a device (3) is provided for collecting response light emitted, owing to excitation, from the area being examined, and furthermore a position sensor (13, 24, 27) is provided enabling the catheter tip's spatial position and/or orientation to be registered in a system of coordinates of a position-registering system (7, 14).

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 and an apparatus for spatially displaying a region to be examined of an examination object, which has an x-ray emitter which can be rotated about the examination object in order to generate an x-ray beams and an x-ray detector which can be rotated about the examination object in order to record a part of the x-ray beam penetrating the examination object, with a facility having an opening for fading-in a split beam being arranged at a distance from the x-ray emitter. By being able to adjust the opening and/or the distance of the fade-in facility, a method and an apparatus can be provided, with which the radiation exposure for an examination object is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for visualizing objects, in particular non-rigid objects. The method and the device are particularly suitable to visualizing three-dimensional objects in the case of medical interventions. The method comprises: providing a three-dimensional image data record of the object, successively taking a series of two-dimensional image data records of the object, individually registering each individual two-dimensional image data record with the three-dimensional image data record, functionally evaluating functional parameters from the successively taken two-dimensional images, extracting two-dimensional projections from the three-dimensional image data record, and superimposing the recorded two-dimensional images with the extracted two-dimensional projections. A clean copy of the abstract that incorporates the above amendments is provided herewith on a separate page.

Abstract: There is described an analysis method for at least one image data record of an examination object, wherein each image data record features a multiplicity of image data elements. A position in a multidimensional space is assigned to each image data element. Each image data element features an image data value. The image data values of positionally corresponding image data elements of the image data records are specified by means of at least essentially positionally identical regions of the examination object. A computer automatically divides the image data records into empty regions and signal regions, applying an overall assignment rule which is based on the image data values of the image data elements of a plurality of image data records, such that each image data element of each image data record is assigned to either its empty region or its signal region.

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: A method and a suitable x-ray device (1) for carrying out the method are specified for effective and operationally simplified user-specific optimization of a parameter configuration (K) of an x-ray device (1), said configuration comprising at least one recording parameter (U,I,t,F). It is accordingly provided that a user (20) is shown a plurality of reference images (V,V1) for different reference parameter sets (PV) from a reference memory (21) in which are stored a large number of reference images (V,V0) each with an associated reference parameter set (PV), that for each reference image (V,V1) shown the user (20) submits an assessment (BM) of the image quality (V,V1), and that on the basis of the submitted assessments (BM) an optimized parameter configuration (K) is created from the reference parameter sets (PV) of the reference images (V,V1) shown.

Abstract: The movement of catheters and guide wires for catheters with the aid of magnets is known from the field of cardiology. Conventional magnets are, as a result of their size, not suited to being inserted into the brain of patient, because the vessels there are smaller than the cardiac vessels. To enable the navigation methods proven in cardiology also to be used in neurology, the invention provides a microcatheter having a guide wire, which features magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles can be provided in the form of a ferrofluid or also as diamond nanoparticles in powder form. This enables navigation of the guide wire and thus ultimately of the catheter in the brain from the outside by way of magnetic fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional image dataset of a target volume by using an examination facility having at least two image recording facilities, each featuring a radiation source and a radiation detector, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation which is arranged perpendicular to the connecting line between the radiation source and the radiation detector, comprising: adjusting the recording areas of the image recording facilities such that the recording areas arranged offset in the z-direction supplement each other to form a recording area, which is enlarged in the z-direction; simultaneously recording two-dimensional images in different orientations by means of the image recording facilities rotating about their axis of rotation; reconstructing a three-dimensional sub-image dataset in each instance from the images of the individual image recording facilities; combining the sub-image datasets to form the three-dimensional image dataset.

Abstract: A puncturing needle holder is attached to a flat-panel x-ray detector such that it is visible in the x-ray image as a point. The point can involve the crossing area of two struts, which are attached to the flat-panel x-ray detector. Mappings are created in which on the one hand a region of the body to be punctured and on the other hand the point created by the puncturing needle holder are mapped by the x-ray images created with the flat-panel x-ray detector. The x-ray C-arm is moved until such time as precisely the puncturing needle holder is shown in the mapping so that it points to the region of the body to be punctured. Subsequent puncturing can then be carried out in a number of different ways.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic device is provided. The X-ray diagnostic device includes a control device that is operable to optimally adjust a radiation of an X-ray emitter for a particular patient, and a measuring device. The measuring device is coupled to the control device. The measuring device is operable to determine a tissue composition of a body part to be examined. The control device is operable to optimally adjust the radiation of the X-ray emitter for the particular patient on the basis of the measured tissue composition.