Abstract: To make optimum use of an x-ray image recording system with an x-ray C-arm, which has an x-ray radiation source and an x-ray detector and can be pivoted about any axis, 2D axis lines are plotted in two x-ray images of an object to be imaged more precisely and these 2D axis lines are used to define a 3D axis line and the x-ray image recording system is set so that it can be directly pivoted precisely about this 3D axis line. A sequence of x-ray images is then recorded in positions of the x-ray C-arm, between which the same can be pivoted about this defined axis. This displays the object optimally.

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: In an image post-processing method and apparatus for 3D visualization of 2D/3D fused image data for use in catheter angiography in an endovascular interventional procedure, upon forward movement of a micro-catheter through blood vessel in the interventional procedure, x-ray images are acquired from different projection directions and are subjected to a pattern recognition algorithm for edge-based segmentation of the image regions filled by the micro-catheter, with all remaining image regions being masked out. The segmented projection exposures are prepared by a 3D reconstruction algorithm to obtain an image data set for (pseudo-) three-dimensional representation of the micro-catheter. This image data set are intraoperatively registered and fused with an image data set acquired from an angiographic pre-examination for three-dimensional visualization of the vessel topography.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the combined three-dimensional image display of a catheter. The catheter is inserted into the heart area of a patient with electrophysiological data, as part of a cardiological investigation or treatment. A current position of the catheter is localized with fluoroscopy-aided. The current position of the catheter and the electrophysiological data of the patient are blended into a three-dimensional volumetric image of a structure of the heart for the combined three-dimensional image display.

Abstract: A system and method of treatment of a patient in a catheterization laboratory is described. A three dimensional (3D) voxel data set of the patient is obtained using a computed tomography device. The data is displayed in a multiplanar slice format, or as a segmented 3D image, and a particular bodily structure identified. The identified structure coordinates are registered, if necessary, with respect to the patient when the patient is positioned for obtaining real-time fluoroscopic images during the treatment, and the bodily structure information is superimposed on the displayed fluoroscopic image. The treatment may be, for example, an electrophysiological (EP) ablation procedure for atrial fibrulation.

Abstract: In order to enable patient data to be reliably taken into account in a simple manner for examination by means of an imaging medical diagnostic equipment of a patient positionable on a table top of a patient table, it is provided according to the invention for an occupancy distribution exerted by the patient on the table top to be ascertained, patient data corresponding to this occupancy distribution, specifically in respect of body dimensions and/or body posture, to be determined, and the diagnostic equipment to be adjusted according to the patient data; to ascertain the occupancy distribution, there is advantageously provided a distribution of pressure sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for visually supporting an electrophysiological catheter application in the heart, in which, during the execution of the catheter application, 2D fluoroscopy images (13) of the area of the heart being treated are recorded with an x-ray image recording system (5) and displayed together with 3D mapping data (14) of the area being treated, said 3D mapping data having been prepared simultaneously. A feature of this method is that the 2D fluoroscopy images (13) are registered with the 3D mapping data (14), and said 3D mapping data (14) is displayed, from the same perspective as the 2D fluoroscopy images (13), alongside said 2D fluoroscopy images (13) or image content derived from these (14), or is superimposed over them in the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for registration of a sequence of 2D image data (5) of a hollow channel (2), in particular of a vessel, recorded with an imaging endoluminal instrument (1) when the relative displacement positions of the instrument (1) in the hollow channel (2) are known, with 3D image data (8) of the hollow channel (2). In the method a three-dimensional path of a central axis (10) of a definable section of the hollow channel (2) is determined from the 3D image data (8), the three-dimensional path of the central axis (10) is converted into a rectilinear path by a first transformation of the 3D image data (8) of the definable section of the hollow channel (2) and transformation parameters required for the first transformation are stored.

Abstract: Catheter device comprising a catheter (2), particularly an intravascular catheter, for insertion into an organ or vessel of the human or animal body, with a device for ablation of the adjacent organ tissue or vessel tissue using high-frequency currents in the region of the tip of the catheter, a device (3, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24) being integrated for capturing images of the organ or vessel in the region of the tip of the catheter (10, 17, 22).

Abstract: With a method for generating an x-ray image sequence for supporting an intervention on a patient with a catheter or guide wire for instance, automatic recognition of the catheter is carried out with recorded x-ray images using a computer system. The x-ray image recording parameters are changed on the basis of the determined quality of the imaging of the object, with the x-ray device preferably being automatically activated with the changed x-ray image recording parameters, to record x-ray images. The doctor can therefore concentrate on the actual intervention and does not have to worry about operating the x-ray device.

Abstract: To make optimum use of an x-ray image recording system with an x-ray C-arm, which has an x-ray radiation source and an x-ray detector and can be pivoted about any axis, 2D axis lines are plotted in two x-ray images of an object to be imaged more precisely and these 2D axis lines are used to define a 3D axis line and the x-ray image recording system is set so that it can be directly pivoted precisely about this 3D axis line. A sequence of x-ray images is then recorded in positions of the x-ray C-arm, between which the same can be pivoted about this defined axis. This displays the object optimally.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical imaging system as well as a collision protection method for such a system. In this system the movement of a moveable part, e.g. a C-arm, is stopped or slowed down, if the part enters an individual protective zone enclosing the patient. This zone is calculated individually for each patient from the surface of the patient detected by an optical sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and also an imaging system to compensate for patient motion when recording a series of images in medical imaging, in which a number of images of an area under examination of a patient (17) are recorded at intervals with an imaging system (1) and are related to one another.

Abstract: In an optical coherence tomography system for the examination of human or animal tissue or organs, a catheter is insertable into the tissue or organ to introduce light into the tissue or organ and the reflection is transmitted to an evaluation unit, where the reflection and a reference light are evaluated interferometrically to determine a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of the tissue or organ. At least one position sensor is at the tip of the catheter, and a position-determining system derives position data describing the current position of the position sensor in the coordinate system of the position-determining system. The position-determining system also captures position data regarding the spatial position of the cross-sectional views in the same coordinate system and the evaluation system derives a three-dimensional view from several of the cross-sectional views and the corresponding position data.

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: A two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging of a target region in a hollow organ is provided. A two- or three-dimensional reconstruction image dataset is reconstructed from two-dimensional images from the inside of the hollow organ that are recorded by via a rotating image recording device and displayed, with images covering the entire target region being recorded during a partial rotation of the image recording device through a rotation angle.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image datasets are used to assist in the visualization of an interventional procedure. The three-dimensional image datasets are registered to two-dimensional images acquired by a medical imaging device. A display device can display a fusion visualization of the three-dimensional image datasets and the two-dimensional image. A monitoring device can monitor the progress of a medical instrument used in the interventional procedure. A processor can incorporate the position of the medical instrument in the fusion visualization displayed by the display device.

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: In a method and system for patient-specific production of a cardiac electrode, such as for use in a biventricular pacing system, a 3D representation of the coronary sinus vessel tree is segmented to indicate the interior surface thereof an a representative line from an opening of the coronary sinus vessel tree to an implantation site for the electrode, and a computerized model of the electrode is generated. 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 the virtual implantation, a 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. If so, an actual electrode conforming to the model is then produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for “truncation correction” in an x-ray system, i.e. a correction method during the reconstruction of projection images of an object recorded from different projection angles, if parts of the object do not lie in the field of view of each projection image. The surface of the object is thereby optically detected and used during the reconstruction of projection images to supplement the missing image data.