Abstract: A process for ring hydrogenation of dialkyl terephthalates having C3- to C16-alkyl groups can be performed in a hydrogenation unit composed of two reaction units in series. In the process, a suitable process parameter in relation to the first reaction unit is adjusted so that a certain reaction conversion is achieved.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking a marker device for being attached to a medical device is provided, whereby the marker device includes a sensing unit comprising a magnetic object which may be excited by an external magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field into a mechanical oscillation of the magnetic object, and the tracking system comprises a field generator for generating a predetermined magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field for inducing mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object, a transducer for transducing a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the induced mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object into one or more electrical response signals, and a position determination unit for determining the position of the marker device on the basis of the one or more electrical response signals.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus that allows to improve the image quality of nuclear images, e.g. PET images. The apparatus (110) comprises a providing unit (111) for providing nuclear image data of a region of interest, a providing unit (112) for providing a motion signal indicative of a motion of the region of interest, a determination unit (113) for determining different motion states of the region of interest based on the motion signal, a determination unit (114) for determining for each motion state nuclear image data corresponding to the motion state, a reconstruction unit (115) for reconstructing an absorption map for each motion state based on the corresponding nuclear image data of the respective motion state, and a reconstruction unit (116) for reconstructing one or more nuclear images of the region of interest based on the nuclear image data and the absorption maps reconstructed for each motion state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for correcting computer tomography (“CT”) X-ray data acquired at high relative pitch, the apparatus comprising: an input unit (20); a processing unit (30); and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with CT X-ray data of a body part of a person acquired at high relative pitch. The processing unit is configured to determine CT slice reconstruction data of the body part of the person with no or reduced high relative pitch operation reconstruction artefacts using a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm was trained on the basis of CT slice reconstruction data, and wherein the CT slice reconstruction data comprised first CT slice reconstruction data with high relative pitch reconstruction artefacts and comprised second CT slice reconstruction data with less, less severe, or no high relative pitch reconstruction artefacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood flow determination apparatus (5) comprising a speckle density determination unit (7) for determining a speckle density value being indicative of a level of a speckle density in an ultrasound image of an inner lumen of a blood vessel, which has been generated at an imaging location being behind an introduction location at which a fluid has been introduced into the blood vessel (20) with a known volumetric fluid flow rate. A blood flow rate determination unit (8) determines a blood flow value being indicative of a volumetric blood flow rate based on the determined speckle density value and the volumetric fluid flow rate. This allows determining the intravascular blood flow with an improved accuracy.

Abstract: A plasticizer composition contains a compound according to the following formula (I) wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from n-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl and 3-methylbutyl. The plasticizer composition can be used as plasticizer for polymers and a corresponding plastic composition contains the plasticizer composition.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to provisioning fault domain sets (FDS). In some embodiments, a computer server system implements an FDS for disseminating a storage service across a plurality of fault domains. To implement the FDS, in some embodiments, the computer server system access FDS data specifying a desired state of the FDS in which the storage service is disseminated across at least a particular number of fault domains. The computer server system may determine available resources of the plurality of fault domains and determine a current state of the FDS based on fault domains that have already been provisioned to the FDS. Based on at least the desired state of the FDS, the current state of the FDS, and the available resources, the computer server system provisions one or more additional fault domains to the FDS to reconcile the FDS's current state with the FDS's desired state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for fractional flow reserve determination. The device (1) comprises a model generator (10) configured to generate a three-dimensional model (3DM) of a portion of an imaged vascular vessel tree (VVT) surrounding a stenosed vessel segment (SVS), based on a partial segmentation of the imaged vascular vessel tree (VVT). Further, the device comprises an image processor (20) configured to calculate a blood flow (Q) through the stenosed vessel segment (SVS) based on an analysis of a time-series of X-ray images of the vascular vessel tree (VVT). Still further, the device comprises a fractional-flow-reserve determiner (30) configured to determine a fractional flow reserve (FFR) based on the three-dimensional model (3DM) and the calculated blood flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing diagnostic image data are provided in which a plurality of acquisition images of a vessel of interest having been acquired with a pre-defined acquisition method is received at a trained classifying device and classified, by the classifying device, to extract at least one quantitative feature of the vessel of interest from at least one acquisition image of the plurality of acquisition images. The at least one quantitative feature is then output associated with the at least one acquisition image while the acquisition of the diagnostic image data is still in progress and one or more adjustable image acquisition settings are adjusted based on the at least one quantitative feature to optimize the acquisition of the diagnostic image data.

Abstract: Multi-task deep learning method for a neural network for automatic pathology detection, comprising the steps: receiving first image data (I) for a first image recognition task; receiving (S2) second image data (V) for a second image recognition task; wherein the first image data (I) is of a first datatype and the second image data (V) is of a second datatype, different from the first datatype; determining (S3) first labeled image data (IL) by labeling the first image data (I) and determining second synthesized labeled image data (ISL) by synthesizing and labeling the second image data (V); training (S4) the neural network based on the received first image data (I), the received second image data (V), the determined first labeled image data (IL) and the determined second labeled synthesized image data (ISL); wherein the first image recognition task and the second image recognition task relate to a same anatomic region where the respective image data is taken from and/or relate to a same pathology to be recogni

Abstract: Image processing system (IPS), comprising an input interface (IN) for receiving an input image (IM) based on projection data (?) collected in a limited angle scan along different projection directions by an imaging apparatus (IA). A directional analyzer (DA) to compute a direction component for border regions in the input image. A directional discriminator (DD) is to discriminate border regions based on whether or not their direction component is along at least one of the projection directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood flow determination apparatus (5) comprising a speckle density determination unit (7) for determining a speckle density value being indicative of a level of a speckle density in an ultrasound image of an inner lumen of a blood vessel, which has been generated at an imaging location being behind an introduction location at which a fluid has been introduced into the blood vessel (20) with a known volumetric fluid flow rate. A blood flow rate determination unit (8) determines a blood flow value being indicative of a volumetric blood flow rate based on the determined speckle density value and the volumetric fluid flow rate. This allows determining the intravascular blood flow with an improved accuracy.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus (XI) including an X-ray source (XS) with a cathode (C) and an anode (A). The source (XS) is to generate an X-radiation beam (XB). An X-ray detector (XD) detects the X-radiation after interaction with an imaged object (OB). The beam (XB) has different spectra on its anode side (AS) and cathode side (CS) caused by the heel effect when the X-ray source (XS) is in operation. -ray imaging apparatus (XI) has a heel-effect-harnessing (HH) mechanism configured to cause a pixel (PX) of the detector (XD) to be alternately exposed to both, the anode side (AS) and the cathode side (CS) of the beam (XB).

Abstract: A stress prediction device for predicting mechanical stress exerted to a deformable object due contact between the object and an external device that is to be inserted into the object at an intended insertion position comprises a segmentation unit configured to access generic model data representing a generic reference object that comprises predefined secondary landmark features at predefined landmark positions, which are not identifiable using a predefined imaging technique, and pre-insertion object image data acquired using the imaging technique. It provides segmented object model data which comprises associated mapped landmark position data indicative of mapped landmark positions of the secondary landmark features. A stress determination unit determines and provides predictive stress information indicative of mechanical stress exerted to at least one of the secondary landmark features at the associated mapped landmark position due to mechanical contact between the object and the external device.

Abstract: Mechanical image acquisition systems (such as medical C-arms) frequently accumulate geometrical errors which must be calibrated out using a calibration phantom. A more frequent regime of system calibration implies a less frequent use of the C-arm for clinical applications. The present application proposes to identify common biases between the acquired projection frame sequences from the same mechanical image acquisition system in first and second acquisitions, and to compare this to expected calibration data of the mechanical image acquisition system to generate frame deviation measures. If a resemblance between the first and second sequences of frame deviation measures is obtained, one or more calibration actions are performed (such as alerting the user that calibration should be provided, and/or automatically correcting for the geometry deviation).

Abstract: The invention provides multilayer surface coverings each having a layer obtained from a filler- containing PVC plastisol and obtained from a filler-free PVC plastisol, each of which comprises a plasticizer composition comprising bis(2-ethylhexyl) cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate. Such surface coverings may be used as floor coverings or as imitation leather.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking a marker device for being attached to a medical device is provided, whereby the marker device includes a sensing unit comprising a magnetic object which may be excited by an external magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field into a mechanical oscillation of the magnetic object, and the tracking system comprises a field generator for generating a predetermined magnetic or electromagnetic excitation field for inducing mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object, a transducer for transducing a magnetic or electromagnetic field generated by the induced mechanical oscillations of the magnetic object into one or more electrical response signals, and a position determination unit for determining the position of the marker device on the basis of the one or more electrical response signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing diagnostic image data are provided in which correspondence detection between a first diagnostic image and a second diagnostic image of a vessel of interest in a patients vasculature is performed on the basis of at least one functional parameter by matching the one or more values of said functional parameter at particular positions along the vessel of interest as shown in the first diagnostic image and the second diagnostic image to one another, thereby determining a correlation between the positions in the basis of said functional parameter values rather than solely the vessel geometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for interacting with vessel images, the device (14) comprising: an interface unit (22); a processing unit (20); wherein the interface unit (22) comprises: a display (21); and an input setup (23); wherein the display (21) is configured to display a vessel image (24); wherein the input setup (23) is configured to receive a user input in relation to the vessel image (24); wherein the processing unit (20) is configured to: determine, for at least one vessel (26) in the vessel image (24), a vessel contour (30); determine, from the user input, an identifier position (36) in the vessel image (24); indicate at least a portion (38) of the vessel contour (30) in the vessel image (24), if the determined identifier position (36) is spaced apart from the vessel contour (30) by a distance (37) within a predefined distance range; determine, from the user input, a drag direction (42); and move the indicated portion (38) along the vessel contour (30) based on the determined drag direc

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for navigating an interventional device (11) like a catheter and an interventional system comprising the navigation system. A position and shape determining unit (13) determines and stores a first position and shape of the interventional device within a living being (9) during a first interventional procedure like a first chemoembolization session and determines a second position and shape of an interventional device within the living being during a subsequent second interventional procedure like a second chemoembolization session. During the second interventional procedure the interventional device is navigated based on the stored first position and shape and based on the second position and shape. This allows considering during the second interventional procedure the path of the interventional device used during the first interventional procedure.