Abstract: A method for implementing per-use licensing for image processing software includes acquiring image data from an image scanner. Processed image data is calculated from the image data using an image processing module. The processed image data is exported. The use of the image processing module is logged in an accounting database when the processed data are exported. Access to the accounting database is provided for account settlement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a three-dimensional target volume, particularly within the human body, in realtime and displaying it, with a three-dimensional reconstruction volume being determined from a basic set comprising a minimum number of two-dimensional images obtained from an image recording device located within the target volume, wherein, when a new image is included in the basic set, locally limited updating at least of the reconstruction volume's partial areas covered by the new image will under a predefined condition be performed and the updated reconstruction volume will be displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for merging a 2D radioscopy image with an image obtained from a 3D image data record, having a memory unit that stores the 2D radioscopy image and the 3D image data record, a segmentation unit that segments an inner surface of a hollow organ from the 3D image data record, a registration unit that registers the 2D radioscopy image with the 3D image data record, a back-projection unit that back-projects the pixels of the 2D radioscopy image onto the segmented surface, taking account of the projection geometry of the 2D radioscopy image and the registration, and an image merger unit that generates a virtual endoscopy view of the surface from the segmented surface using the back-projected pixels. The device primarily allows 2D radioscopy images to be superimposed during interventional procedures with a fly display of the interior of an interesting organ.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring medical devices such as medical devices used in a clinical trial. Based on the needs of the clinical trial, a definition of a configuration of the medical devices to be used in the clinical trial is generated and the configuration data is transformed into a profile. The profile is distributed to sites at which the clinical trial will be conducted and the profile is applied to the medical devices at the sites to configure the medical devices. The medical devices are thereby capable of producing data that is comparable as between the sites used in the clinical trial.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a medical imaging system for acquisition of image data of the heart using a medical imaging procedure during an intervention on the heart, while the heart is stimulated by a pacing signal from an external heart pacemaker, the acquisition and/or reconstruction of the image data being controlled, in particular triggered, by the pacing signal.

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: The invention relates to a method for differentially representing myocardial tissue in different states of damage, comprising the following steps: administering a myocardium-suitable contrast agent to a patient under examination; entering at least one patient-specific parameter affecting the speed of uptake by and elimination from the myocardium of said contrast agent; calculating a point in time after administration of the contrast agent at which a difference between a contrast agent content in necrotic myocardial tissue and a contrast agent content in non-necrotic myocardial tissue attains a maximum value, on the basis of the at least one patient-specific parameter, and carrying out, at the point in time calculated, a late-phase CT scan for accentuation of necrotic myocardial tissue compared to non-necrotic myocardial tissue. The invention likewise relates to apparatus, in particular for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An operating method for a polyplanar imaging system for time-resolved imaging of an object is provided. First and second data records are recorded at a fan angle ? from different angular positions by a first and second imaging planes arranged at an offset angle ? relative to each other and swiveled through an angle of at least ?=180°+?. A third data record is created by selecting projection images from the first data record beginning from a starting angle ? and from the second data record so that the third data record covers an angular range of at least ?. Three-dimensional images are reconstructed based on the third data record. The starting angle ? is varied for continuously creating the third data record until ? has attained its final value. The contrast of projection images in the third data record or of three-dimensional images is evaluated.

Abstract: Medical treatment device with an ablation catheter and a visualization device for joint display of the ablation catheter and the anatomy of a part of a patient's body to be treated, whereby the visualization device is embodied for detection of areas of risk of the part of the body to be treated and for displaying the areas of risk jointly with the ablation catheter and the anatomy.

Abstract: An intuitive user interface is provided for endoscopic view visualization. The user interface may permit individual or simultaneous navigation through images displayed in an endoscopic view window, a three dimensional overview window, and a multi-planar reformatted window. An operation performed directly on one of the windows may commence the navigation. The endoscopic view window may be divided into a plurality of sub-regions, each sub-region having a corresponding navigation function. The endoscopic view window and the three dimensional overview window may have corresponding icons related to a single location in corresponding images being displayed. The corresponding icons may be color coded to facilitate intuitive alignment of the corresponding images displayed in the different windows. The three dimensional overview window may have a geometric icon to facilitate intuitive alignment of the corresponding images.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling ablation energy for performing an electrophysiological catheter application are provided. Measured parameters that are characteristic for guidance of a catheter are received by a communication module. The characteristic parameter values are compared with at least one predefined threshold value by a control module. The control module generates control data for guidance of the catheter as a function of the result of the comparison. The control data is output to at least one control station by output interfaces for controlling the guidance of the catheter for the purpose of adjusting the ablation energy of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for visually supporting an electrophysiological catheter application is provided. An electroanatomical 3D mapping data of a region of interest in the heart is visualized. A 3D image data of the region of interest is captured before the catheter application. A 3D surface profile of objects in the region of interest is extracted from the 3D image data by segmentation. The electroanatomical 3D mapping data and 3D image data forming at least the 3D surface profile is assigned by registration and visualized superimposed on one another. Characteristic parameters are measured for catheter guidance during the catheter application. The characteristic parameters are compared with at least one predefined threshold value and regulation data for catheter guidance is generated as a function of the comparison result. The regulation data is integrally displayed and represented in the superimposed visualization.

Abstract: With a method for supporting an interventional medical operation, a 3-dimensional image data set is recorded before the method. A positioning system is coupled with the coordinates system of the 3-dimensional image data set. The instrument is positioned and the position of the instrument in the 3-dimensional image data set is determined as an instrument image data point. Two further target image data points are determined in the target region, in which the instrument is to be guided. A plane is defined in this way. In this plane, the image data is used for a 2-dimensional display. Both the instrument image data point and also the two target image data points can be identified on the display, so that the target region of an interventional operation and an interventional medical device are displayed on an image at the same time. The image can be tracked during the interventional medical operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for registering images of an object according to which a landmark that is common to the images is first identified, and the transformations in relation to the remaining degrees of freedom are determined by means of a position alignment that is not based on the landmark.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature probe for insertion into the human or animal body, having an unfoldable balloon on a catheter, on the outer skin of which balloon one or more temperature sensors is or are disposed. The catheter can be moved by way of a cable and according to one aspect of the invention an ultrasound sensor is disposed on its tip. Position sensors can also be provided on the outer skin of the balloon. The temperature probe is used to monitor the temperature distribution in the esophagus during a catheter ablation.

Abstract: To determine the position and orientation of an object in a x-ray image the x-ray image is initially pre-processed. A three-dimensional template (data record) of the object based on the known constructional features of the object is created. Three parameters for the position and for the orientation respectively are modified iteratively. The three-dimensional template with the parameters for position and orientation is projected in each case onto a two-dimensional plane and the created image is compared on the basis of the generation of a degree of similarity with the pre-processed x-ray image.

Abstract: In a method and system for patient-specific production of a cardiac electrode lead, a 3D representation of the coronary sinus vessel tree is segmented to indicate the interior surface thereof and a representative line from an opening of the coronary sinus vessel tree to an implantation site for the electrode lead, and a computerized model of the electrode is generated that includes deformation properties of the mechanical structure of the electrode lead. A computerized virtual implantation of the electrode through the 3D representation of the coronary sinus vessel tree is implemented using the model and the internal surface and the representative line from which determination is made as to whether an electrode conforming to the model can be guided to and implanted at the implantation site in a medically acceptable manner, or whether modification of the electrode lead is necessary.

Abstract: Device for determining the relative position of two or more catheters in the human body, there being disposed on each catheter (4, 5), preferably in the area of the catheter tip, at least one measuring electrode (ME1-ME8; ME9, ME10) which can be connected to a voltage source together with one or more measuring electrodes of a further catheter, wherein the resistance between the measuring electrodes, and hence the distance of the measuring electrodes, can be determined via a current measurement.

Abstract: Medical examination and/or treatment system, configured to capture and output at least one parameter to be monitored during examination and/or treatment, with the system being configured to evaluate the at least one captured parameter and to output an acoustic signal that can be modified as a function of the result of the evaluation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for correcting motion in imaging during a medical intervention, by which method a 3D tomographic image of a target area for the intervention is first recorded while there are one or more medical instruments in the target area that will remain there during the intervention. During the intervention 2D fluoroscopic images of the target area are recorded and registered with the 3D image. The registration is therein adjusted for each 2D fluoroscopic image in realtime based in each case on the one or more instruments. The 2D fluoroscopic images are then in each case visualized with representations, concurring in terms of perspective, of the 3D image. Virtually error-free overlaying of the 3D image with in each case one 2D fluoroscopic image can be implemented using the present method and associated device.