Abstract: A cryocatheter for introduction into a body vessel or into an organ, with a catheter inner surrounded by a catheter sheath, and with a catheter tip arranged at its distal end, with a feed line for an expansion or cooling agent arranged in the catheter sheath or the catheter inner, and with a balloon, arranged close to the catheter tip, which can be expanded and contracted again by means of the expansion and cooling agent, is to be constructed in such a way that by simple manipulation it can be positioned at a precise target position in the body vessel and, in addition, it minimizes the burden on the patient from invasive interventions. For this purpose, in accordance with the invention an image capture device, with at least one imaging sensor for mapping the region of the vessel around the balloon, is positioned in the region of the catheter tip.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for implementing a gastric artery chemical embolization (GACE) catheterization procedure, an x-ray imaging system obtains a first current image data set of the patient prior to implementing the GACE procedure, and a second current image data set that shows the blood vessels that supply the fundus of the subject. The first and second current image data sets are fused to form a first fusion image data set. A second fusion image data set is then formed by fusion of the first fusion image data set with a catheter-position-indicating data set, obtained during the GACE procedure. The second fusion image data set is displayed during the GACE procedure or control data for a lightweight robot, used to operate and guide the catheter, can be derived from the second fusion image data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for taking high energy images, in particular, X-ray images, comprising an input image by means of which data for a medical auxiliary may be inputted into the device. Said medical auxiliaries are preferably stents or contrast agents which can be introduced into the body of a patient. The display unit of the device can thus be correspondingly set for the applied auxiliary.

Abstract: A method for guiding nanoparticles to a target location by a magnetic gradient field and/or holding them at the target location is proposed. The magnetic gradient field is generated by a magnet system with at least one magnet. A focus of the magnet system is registered with an X-ray device. At least one three-dimensional image dataset showing the target location is captured by the X-ray device. The position of the target location is determined manually and/or automatically in the image dataset or in an image dataset determined therefrom and is positioned automatically based on the registration of the focus so that the focus coincides with the position of the target location.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a ring-shaped gantry is provided. The gantry has a rotor arrangement rotating therein and a radiation source as well as at least one radiation detector. The gantry has at least one gantry segment which can be detached from the ring shape to allow the gantry to be opened laterally. The gantry is arranged on a supporting structure so as to be movable in space. The supporting structure is a ceiling-mounted stand having at least two degrees of freedom of movement. The gantry has at least two radiation sources disposed offset by an angle on the rotor arrangement and associated with each of which is at least one radiation detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for a medical intervention on a patient. The device provided for carrying out the method comprises a medical instrument that is to be introduced into a moving body region of the patient, a robot which has a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement and on which the medical instrument can be disposed for guiding, and means for recording the movement of the body region, wherein the medical instrument can be introduced into the body region of the patient by means of the robot taking into account the movement of the body region and guided in the direction of a target tissue in the body of the patient.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for conducting minimally-invasive procedures involving heart valves at least one multi-access articulated x-ray imaging robot is employed that allows a radiation detector carried by the robot to be moved in arbitrary paths, such as in circle, an ellipse, or along a spiral, around a patient in order to generate multiple projection exposures of the relevant region of the patient during the procedure. An image processor reconstructs a 3D image from the projection exposures substantially in real time during the procedure, and the 3D image is displayed to operating personnel during the procedure.

Abstract: Device for determining the position of at least one medical instrument with a position sensor system inserted into the body of a patient for an examination using imaging examination equipment, in particular X-ray equipment, wherein the device has a computing unit, in which at least one piece of examination equipment specific information limiting the possible spatial positions of the medical instrument during the examination is stored, wherein the computing unit is designed to determine the position in a limited position area of the possible spatial positions and according to the limiting examination equipment specific information.

Abstract: A medical treatment suite and method of use is described, having a projection X-ray apparatus mounted to a robot. The robot positions the projection X-ray apparatus with respect to a patient and data is taken in a form that is suitable for synthesizing computed tomographic images. The patient may be supported by a patient support apparatus, which may be mounted to another robot, which cooperates with the other robot so as to position the patient according to a selected treatment protocol. Each of the robots may be mounted to one of a floor, a ceiling or a wall of the room.

Abstract: For particularly effective stem cell therapy a nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle has a first element consisting of a magnetic material, a support or envelope element consisting of a biodegradable material, a first substance containing an x-ray contrast agent, and a second substance containing stem cells. The stem cells are embodied such that they can be used for angiogenesis or for myogenesis.

Abstract: A medical examination device for CT imaging and for nuclear medical imaging is provided. The medical examination device has an essentially ring-shaped gantry with a CT imaging arrangement and a nuclear medical imaging arrangement. The gantry has an especially laterally arranged, fold-out or removable segment for creating an access opening to the interior of the gantry.

Abstract: A biplane X-ray imaging system is provided. The biplane X-ray imaging system has two recording units disposed in different planes. Each of the recording units has an X-ray detector and an X-ray source. The first recording unit is a phase-contrast recording unit for phase-contrast X-ray imaging. The second recording unit is a conventional recording unit for conventional x-ray imaging.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a method. The method includes performing at least one of, or a portion of one of, a vertebroplasty procedure, a kyphoplasty procedure, an electroencephalography (EEG) procedure and intraoperative electromyography (EMG) on a patient, and using an imaging system to image at least a portion of the patient during performance of at least a portion of this procedure), the imaging system being arranged on a robot including at least four, preferably six axes of rotation. In another embodiment of the present application, an x-ray system is disclosed. The x-ray system includes an imaging system including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector; a table; and at least two robots. The table is movable by the at least one robot and the at least one other robot includes at least four, preferably six axes of rotation and controls movement of the imaging system.

Abstract: A miniature X-ray tube for intravascular or intracorporeal radiation treatment in living beings is proposed. The X-ray tube comprises a cylindrical housing section with a longitudinal axis. The miniature X-ray tube also comprises a cylindrical or cylindrical-tube-shaped first field emission cathode arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis in the housing with a plurality of carbon nanotubes which emit electrons radially outward. The miniature X-ray tube also comprises a second field emission cathode in the housing with a plurality of carbon nanotubes which emit electrons in the direction of longitudinal axis. The miniature X-ray tube only emits little heat and is robust against mechanical stresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for performing and monitoring minimally invasive interventions with an x-ray unit, in which at least one x-ray source and one x-ray detector can traverse a circular track through an angle range, an ECG recording unit, an imaging catheter, a mapping unit with a mapping catheter and an ablation unit with an ablation catheter. The system comprises a control and evaluation unit with interfaces for the units and catheters, which enable an exchange of data with the control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is designed for processing measurement or image data which it receives from the catheters and units, and for controlling the catheters and units for the capture of the measurement or image data. The workflow from the examination through to the therapy, particularly with regard to the treatment of tachycardial arrhythmias, is covered completely and continuously by the proposed system.

Abstract: An apparatus with two pairs of X-ray systems is provided. Each of the X-ray systems has an X-ray source and an X-ray detector. The X-ray detectors differ from each other in their spatial resolution. The X-ray detector with the low spatial resolution makes it possible to record X-ray images in a faster temporal sequence than the other. The doctor carrying out the treatment thus has the option of deciding between the availability of a high spatial resolution and the recording of images in a rapid temporal sequence.

Abstract: An ultrasound device is provided. The ultrasound device includes an ultrasound transducer to be moved along an object to be examined and a control device that communicates with the ultrasound device, controls the transmit and receive mode of the ultrasound transducer and processes the ultrasound signals received. The ultrasound transducer is arranged on a robotic arm that can be freely moved in space and controlled in terms of its movement.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising a ring-shaped gantry is provided. The gantry has a rotor arrangement rotating therein and a radiation source as well as at least one radiation detector. The gantry has at least one gantry segment which can be detached from the ring shape to allow the gantry to be opened laterally. The gantry is arranged on a supporting structure so as to be movable in space. The supporting structure is a floor, wall or ceiling mounted articulated-arm robot having at least four, preferably six, degrees of freedom of movement. The gantry has at least two radiation sources disposed offset by an angle on the rotor arrangement and associated with each of which is at least one radiation detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing a cutting-balloon intervention that includes a cutting-balloon catheter with an expandable balloon having axially arranged knives, with the cutting-balloon catheter having a pre-mounted stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound catheter comprising a device arranged in the area of the catheter tip for ultra-sound image recording, with at least one lumen routed into the area of the catheter tip open at this end and ending adjacent to the ultrasound image recording device for issuing an ultrasound contrast means being provided.