Abstract: A method for visualizing at least one characteristic variable of a patient in an angiographic scan via a C-arm X-ray device, an associated C-arm X-ray device and an associated computer program product are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes acquiring at least one 2-D image of the patient via the C-arm X-ray device; determining at least one 3-D reference image by applying an image information system to the at least one 2-D image; establishing at least one characteristic variable which describes at least one vessel of the patient in the at least one 3-D reference image; and visualizing the at least one characteristic variable in the at least one 2-D image.

Abstract: A method for visualizing at least one characteristic variable of a patient in an angiographic scan via a C-arm X-ray device, an associated C-arm X-ray device and an associated computer program product are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes acquiring at least one 2-D image of the patient via the C-arm X-ray device; determining at least one 3-D reference image by applying an image information system to the at least one 2-D image; establishing at least one characteristic variable which describes at least one vessel of the patient in the at least one 3-D reference image; and visualizing the at least one characteristic variable in the at least one 2-D image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for visual assistance during the electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart, enabling electroanatomic 3D mapping data relating to an area of the heart to be treated to be visualized during the use of the catheter. Before the catheter is used, 3D image data of a body region containing the area to be treated is detected by means of a method for tomographic 3D imaging. The area to be treated or significant parts thereof are extracted from said 3D image data, in order to obtain selected 3D image data. The electroanatomic 3D mapping data and the selected 3D image data obtained are then classed in terms of position and dimension, and are adjacently visualized, for example, during the catheter ablation. The inventive method and associated device enable the orientation of the operator to be improved during the use of a catheter in the heart.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for graphical assistance in an interventional procedure to open an occlusion of a hollow organ of a patient a three-dimensional CT image data set of an examination region with the at least one hollow organ having the occlusion is retrieved and visualized segmentation data with segmentation data of the hollow organ at a display unit. At least two x-ray fluoroscopy images are acquired at different angulations the CT image data set is registered with at least two of the x-ray images. A number of fluoroscopy x-ray images are acquired during a time period, with real-time visualization of at least one x-ray fluoroscopy image and data of the CT image data set at the display unit. The steps are implemented individually and in sequence, and control options relating exclusively to the current step can be selected manually via a user interface depending on the step that is currently implemented, and only user inputs that are appropriate for the current step are accepted.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for automatic or semi-automatic segmentation of a 3D image data set, acquired by a medical imaging apparatus, of an examination region that includes an organ, the 3D image data set is provided to a computer/processor, which is also provided with information with designating the type of organ imaged in the examination region. The 3D image data set is automatically segmented in the computer/processor using a model-based segmentation algorithm, wherein the designated type of organ is used as a basis of the model. The 3D data set is also automatically or semi-automatically segmented using a greyscale value-based segmentation algorithm. At least one of the segmentation results is displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for visually supporting an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart, whereby electroanatomical 3D mapping data of an area of the heart to be treated which are provided during performance of the catheter application are visualized. Before the catheter application is carried out, 3D image data of the area to be treated are recorded by means of a tomographical 3D imaging method, a 3D surface profile of objects in the area to be treated is extracted from the 3D image data by segmentation and the electroanatomical 3D mapping data provided and the 3D images representing the 3D surface profile are associated with each other in the correct position and dimension relative each other and e.g. visualized in an superimposed manner during the catheter application. The present method and the corresponding device allow for an improved orientation of the user who carries out an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mapping catheter for determination of data of an area of an organ embodied as a flat surface, especially of the heart, to be presented graphically, with at least one thermosensor essentially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mapping catheter for determination of temperature-related data which is arranged at a tip of the mapping catheter being provided in the distal area of the mapping catheter for introduction into the organ.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for automatic or semi-automatic segmentation of a 3D image data set, acquired by a medical imaging apparatus, of an examination region that includes an organ, the 3D image data set is provided to a computer/processor, which is also provided with information with designating the type of organ imaged in the examination region. The 3D image data set is automatically segmented in the computer/processor using a model-based segmentation algorithm, wherein the designated type of organ is used as a basis of the model. The 3D data set is also automatically or semi-automatically segmented using a greyscale value-based segmentation algorithm. At least one of the segmentation results is displayed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for graphical assistance in an interventional procedure to open an occlusion of a hollow organ of a patient a three-dimensional CT image data set of an examination region with the at least one hollow organ having the occlusion is retrieved and visualized segmentation data with segmentation data of the hollow organ at a display unit. At least two x-ray fluoroscopy images are acquired at different angulations the CT image data set is registered with at least two of the x-ray images. A number of fluoroscopy x-ray images are acquired during a time period, with real-time visualization of at least one x-ray fluoroscopy image and data of the CT image data set at the display unit. The steps are implemented individually and in sequence, and control options relating exclusively to the current step can be selected manually via a user interface depending on the step that is currently implemented, and only user inputs that are appropriate for the current step are accepted.

Abstract: In a method and system to determine and display assistive information related to the current operating status of a medical apparatus at a mobile auxiliary device, operating parameters describing the current operating status of the medical apparatus are transmitted to the mobile auxiliary device via a wireless (in particular bidirectional) communication connection, and are evaluated at the mobile auxiliary device via a mobile application in order to determine the assistive information, whereupon the assistive information is displayed at least in part by the mobile application.

Abstract: Blood flow turbulence or stationary blood can occur in vessels of the body, in particular following surgical interventions or minimally invasive interventional procedures, and this can lead to the formation of thrombi. A model of such vessels is obtained on the basis of a 3D image dataset, a simulation is then performed and a check carried out to determine whether turbulence or stationary blood can be demonstrated in the simulation. The model is then modified, successively where necessary, until the simulation reveals no more turbulence. Then, on the basis of the most recently modified model that results in no turbulence and no stationary blood, an aid is provided, in particular a specific aid such as e.g. a stent produced or a screen display presented.

Abstract: To visually support a catheter ablation in the heart, three-dimensional image data have been used prior to the intervention. During ablation, the position of the catheter is pinpointed by an orientation system. The orientation system acquires electroanatomical 3D mapping data. The two-dimensional image data is assigned to the 3D mapping data in the correct position and dimensions which is a time-consuming step. The invention makes provision for the orientation system being in a fixed location relative to the X-ray system so that a positionally and dimensionally correct alignment of the X-ray image data set with the 3D mapping data is no longer required. An image or surface based 3D-3D alignment of the three-dimensional data acquired prior to the intervention with the three-dimensional X-ray image data is considerably less time-consuming than alignment thereof with the 3D mapping data and is more reliable because more structures is recognized in the three-dimensional X-ray image data.

Abstract: A method for the merged display of first image information captured using a first imaging device with second image information captured using a second imaging device is provided. The first imaging device records fluorescence images of the area under examination. A second 3D image data record of the area under examination is recorded using an examination procedure based on electromagnetic radiation, such as computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 3D fluorescence image data record and the second 3D image data record are registered with one another, and one or more fluorescence-optically marked, relevant areas of the examination volume, on the basis of the mapping rules determined by the registration process, are displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: To make interventional instruments such as catheters more easily identifiable in X-ray images, the catheters are provided with marking elements which can be recognized in the X-ray image. Examples of marking elements are sphere-shaped and ring-shaped marking elements, the ring-shaped marking elements being able to identify the catheters in the manner of a barcode and so being able to make different catheters distinguishable from one another in the X-ray image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for synchronizing an image capture device with a first image data set. The image capture device is used for recording a second image data set of a periodically moving area or object. Each first image data set contains information as to the point in time, relative to the periodically moving area or object, when recording took place. The device additionally acquires periodically recurring, current information of the area as well as information concerning the recording instant of the first image data set. From the periodically recurring information and the recording instant of the first image data set, a triggering instant is derived which controls at least one recording of the second image data set by the image capture device in such a way that the second image data set contains image data synchronized to the first image data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for locally-resolved visualization of the reconstruction quality, especially of the coverage of a target volume to be recorded as an image and reproduced in a three-dimensional reconstruction volume presentation, especially in the human body, by two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images covering subareas of the volume recorded by a recording device arranged inside the target volume, with which the three-dimensional reconstruction volume presentation is created, with the subareas of the target volume covered by the individual images being determined and a visual locally-resolved presentation of the reconstruction quality, especially of the coverage, being created and output as a function of the subarea coverage.

Abstract: A method and a device for obtaining a volume data set of a mobile tissue or organ of a patient by a C-arm X-ray device are provided. An electromagnetic sensor of a position detection system is arranged indirectly on the tissue or organ. The X-ray device obtains a plurality of X-ray projections from the tissue or organ from various projection directions. A first method consists of reconstructing a volume data set from the X-ray projections, in which the electromagnetic sensor adopts a position characterizing a displacement phase of the tissue or organ. A second method consists of reconstructing a volume data set from the X-ray projections captured when the electromagnetic sensor was located in a position characterizing a displacement phase of the tissue or organ. A third method does not capture an X-ray projection for the reconstruction if the electromagnetic sensor is located in a position characterizing a displacement phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the registration and superimposition of image data when taking serial radiographs in medical imaging, wherein a plurality of image data sets for a region of a patient (17) that is being investigated are constructed at time intervals using an imaging system (1) and are referenced with a first image data set for the region that is being investigated that was constructed previously using said imaging system (1). In the above method, a location system (2) is used during the production of serial radiographs constantly, or at least at a respective proximity in time to the construction of individual data sets, to determine a current spatial position of the region being investigated in a reference system that is firmly connected to the imaging system (1), whereby in the construction of the first image data set, a first spatial position of the region that is being investigated is recorded.

Abstract: A system and method of treating tachycardias and similar syndromes by the use of catheter ablation of tissue is described. A computed tomography (CT)-like image of the heart is obtained and processed to segment the various types of tissue. Papillary muscle areas are identified and displayed differently from the other nearby tissues so that the muscles can be avoided during treatment to avoid or minimize damage to the muscles during ablation treatment. Electrophysical data and scar tissue may also be identified in the image, which may be of the endoscopic type. The position of the catheter may be displayed as a synthetic image on the endoscopic view.

Abstract: Blood flow turbulence or stationary blood can occur in vessels of the body, in particular following surgical interventions or minimally invasive interventional procedures, and this can lead to the formation of thrombi. A model of such vessels is obtained on the basis of a 3D image dataset, a simulation is then performed and a check carried out to determine whether turbulence or stationary blood can be demonstrated in the simulation. The model is then modified, successively where necessary, until the simulation reveals no more turbulence. Then, on the basis of the most recently modified model that results in no turbulence and no stationary blood, an aid is provided, in particular a specific aid such as e.g. a stent produced or a screen display presented.