Abstract: The present invention relates to annotating a medical image. For an improved manual insertion of information in a medical image, it is provided to display an image (130) of a tubular structure; and to display a graphical representation (132) of at least one segmented portion of the tubular structure; wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one indicator line representing the portion's shape and/or extension; and wherein the graphical representation is displayed in combination with the image of the tubular structure; and to generate and display at least one marker (128) overlaid to the image of the tubular structure; wherein the marker is movable (134) along the graphical representation; and to position the marker at a location along the graphical representation to indicate a predetermined feature of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A medical system for minimally-invasive measurement of blood flow in an artery (AT). An interventional device (IVD) with an optical fiber (FB) comprising a plurality of temperature-sensitive optical sensor segments, e.g. Fiber Bragg Gratings, spatially distributed along its longitudinal extension is configured for insertion into an artery (AT). A temperature changer (TC) is arranged in the WD to introduce a local change in temperature (?T) of a bolus of blood in the artery, to allow thermal tracking over time with the optical fiber (FB). A measurement unit (MU) with a laser light source (LS) delivers light to the optical fiber (FB) and receives light reflected from the optical fiber (FB) and generates a corresponding time varying output signal. A first algorithm (A1) translates this time varying output signal into a set of temperatures corresponding to temperatures at respective positions along the optical fiber (FB).

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure. An interventional device tracking system is configured to track a three-dimensional position, orientation and shape of the interventional device during the procedure, wherein the overlay image is dynamically updated in response to deformations caused to an organ of interest by the interventional device during the procedure.

Abstract: A rotational position determination apparatus is configured to determine an entry rotational position, which defines a rotational position of an insertion device like a stent at an entry site, such that a navigation of the insertion device from the entry site to a target site along an inner path results in a rotational position of the insertion device at the target site being equal to a desired target rotational position based on a representation of the inner path and the desired target rotational position. If the insertion device is arranged in the determined entry rotational position at the entry site and then navigated to the target site, it is therefore not necessary to rotate the insertion device at the target site.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A record collection device (201, 400) configured to collect records for an individual (452). The device includes: a user interface (440) configured to receive input from the user, a location module (410) configured to detect a location the device; and a processor (420) configured to: (i) automatically determine, by a processor of the record collection device, that the detected location corresponds to a location where a record may be generated or stored; (ii) receive, from the individual via the user interface, approval to request the record from the determined location; and (iii) send, in response to the individual's input, a request to the determined location for the individual's record.

Abstract: A rotational position determination apparatus is configured to determine an entry rotational position, which defines a rotational position of an insertion device like a stent at an entry site, such that a navigation of the insertion device from the entry site to a target site along an inner path results in a rotational position of the insertion device at the target site being equal to a desired target rotational position based on a representation of the inner path and the desired target rotational position. If the insertion device is arranged in the determined entry rotational position at the entry site and then navigated to the target site, it is therefore not necessary to rotate the insertion device at the target site.

Abstract: A rotational position determination apparatus is configured to determine an entry rotational position, which defines a rotational position of an insertion device like a stent at an entry site, such that a navigation of the insertion device from the entry site to a target site along an inner path results in a rotational position of the insertion device at the target site being equal to a desired target rotational position based on a representation of the inner path and the desired target rotational position. If the insertion device is arranged in the determined entry rotational position at the entry site and then navigated to the target site, it is therefore not necessary to rotate the insertion device at the target site.

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure.

Abstract: An interventional instrument, system and method include an elongated flexible member (100) having one or more segmented sections (101) disposed longitudinally. An optical fiber (104) is disposed internally in the flexible member. A plurality of optical sensors (102) are coupled to the optical fiber and distributed along a length of the flexible member such that the optical sensors are positioned to monitor parameters simultaneously at different positions or at different data sources along the flexible member to provide distributed sensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for combined ablation and ultrasound imaging of associated tissue (40), which is particularly useful for use in an ablation process. The system comprises an interventional device (20) with an ultrasound transducer and an ablation unit. During an ablation process, the interventional device (20) can be applied for both ablation and imaging of the tissue (40) subject to the ablation. A controlling unit (CTRL) is further comprised within the system, and arranged to calculate a predictor value based on one or more signals from the ultrasound transducer, where the predictor value relates to a risk of impending tissue damage due to a rapid release of bubble energy. According to a specific embodiment, a primary signal is sent if the predictor value exceeds a threshold value, so that proper measures can be taken.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The transmission element and the one or more ultrasound transducers are mounted so that an acoustic path length (8) between the transmission element (5) and the ultrasound transducer (4) varies with contact force (10) imposed to the distal end region. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length between the ultrasound transducer and the transmission element and determines the contact force from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related method of processing a 2D projection image (110a-b) taken of a tubular structure comprising two or more tubes. One of the tubes branches off from the other at a sidewall opening. The apparatus is configured to estimate a position of the sidewall opening. The estimation is based on a segmentation of the one or more projection images. A marker for the estimated position of the sidewall opening can be displayed overlaid on the projection image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to annotating a medical image. For an improved manual insertion of information in a medical image, it is provided to display an image (130) of a tubular structure; and to display a graphical representation (132) of at least one segmented portion of the tubular structure; wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one indicator line representing the portion's shape and/or extension; and wherein the graphical representation is displayed in combination with the image of the tubular structure; and to generate and display at least one marker (128) overlaid to the image of the tubular structure; wherein the marker is movable (134) along the graphical representation; and to position the marker at a location along the graphical representation to indicate a predetermined feature of the tubular structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotational position determination apparatus (15) for determining an entry rotational position, which defines a rotational position of an insertion device like a stent at an entry site (5), such that a navigation of the insertion device from the entry site to a target site (6) along an inner path (8) results in a rotational position of the insertion device at the target site being equal to a desired target rotational position based on a representation of the inner path and the desired target rotational position. If the insertion device is arranged in the determined entry rotational position at the entry site and then navigated to the target site, it is therefore not necessary to rotate the insertion device at the target site, i.e. it is not necessary to use a technically complex interventional device for rotating the insertion device at the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related method of processing a 2D projection image (110a-b) taken of a tubular structure comprising two or more tubes. One of the tubes branches off from the other at a sidewall opening. The apparatus is configured to estimate a position of the sidewall opening. The estimation is based on a segmentation of the one or more projection images. A marker for the estimated position of the sidewall opening can be displayed overlaid on the projection image.

Abstract: A medical system for minimally-invasive measurement of blood flow in an artery (AT). An interventional device (IVD) with an optical fiber (FB) comprising a plurality of temperature-sensitive optical sensor segments, e.g. Fiber Bragg Gratings, spatially distributed along its longitudinal extension is configured for insertion into an artery (AT). A temperature changer (TC) is arranged in the WD to introduce a local change in temperature (?T) of a bolus of blood in the artery, to allow thermal tracking over time with the optical fiber (FB). A measurement unit (MU) with a laser light source (LS) delivers light to the optical fiber (FB) and receives light reflected from the optical fiber (FB) and generates a corresponding time varying output signal. A first algorithm (A1) translates this time varying output signal into a set of temperatures corresponding to temperatures at respective positions along the optical fiber (FB).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

Abstract: A medical method and system include a medical imaging system (105) configured to generate images of an interventional procedure. An overlay generator (113) is configured to generate an overlay image on the images of the interventional procedure. An interventional device tracking system (108, 125) is configured to track a three-dimensional position, orientation and shape of the interventional device during the procedure, wherein the overlay image is dynamically updated in response to deformations caused to an organ of interest by the interventional device during the procedure.

Abstract: A telescopic endoscope employing a primary endoscope (30, 50) having a instrument channel, a miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) deployed within the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50), and an endoscope tracker including one or more sensors (32, 61) and one or markers (41, 52) for sensing any portion of the miniature secondary endoscope (40, 60) extending from a distal end of the instrument channel of the primary endoscope (30, 50).