Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a processor circuit in communication with an array of acoustic elements and a display. The processor circuit receives B-mode and/or Doppler ultrasound data representative of mitral regurgitation associated with an orifice in a mitral valve. The processor circuit generates a model of the orifice and outputs a graphical representation of the model of the orifice to the display. The processor circuit generates a blood flow model of the mitral regurgitation based on the model of the orifice. The processor circuit compares the blood flow model to the Doppler data. The processor circuit changes the model of the orifice (e.g., a different shape, a different position, and/or a different orientation) such that the blood flow model is changed to match the Doppler data. The processor circuit outputs a graphical representation of the orifice with the different shape, the different position, and/or the different orientation to the display.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing a non-invasive estimate of left ventricular compliance. A temporal variation of left ventricular volume and a temporal variation of left ventricular pressure are determined by processing ultrasound data of a subject. These two temporal variations are then processed to estimate left ventricular compliance.

Abstract: The invention provides a color Doppler ultrasound imaging method. The method includes acquiring a plurality of sparse color Doppler ultrasound image frames and B-mode ultrasound image frames. The color Doppler and B-mode image frames are then pre-processed before estimating a vector flow based on said frames by means of solving a flow vector field in a whole field of view of the image frames through an optimization framework, in which a mask is adapted to define a sparse area of observed color Doppler measurements within the sparse color Doppler image frames. A new color Doppler image frame is generated based on this estimate and included in the output image.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a 3D vector flow field from color Doppler ultrasound data. The method includes obtaining color Doppler ultrasound data from a plurality of acquisition locations, wherein the plurality of acquisition locations comprises a target acquisition location and one or more additional acquisition locations, wherein the one or more additional acquisition locations is adjacent the target acquisition location. A 3D vector flow field is then derived from the obtained color Doppler ultrasound data.

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: The invention provides a method for assessing cardiac valve regurgitation. The method includes obtaining 4D ultrasound data of a region of interest, wherein the region of interest comprises a cardiac valve. The 4D ultrasound data comprises a time sequence of 3D ultrasound images comprising B-mode ultrasound data and color Doppler ultrasound data. Image stabilization is performed on the images of the time sequence of 3D ultrasound images and a dynamic jet is then segmented from the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images. A dynamic surface model is fit to the valve in the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the segmented jet. The method further includes identifying a dynamic regurgitant orifice based on the applied surface model and the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images and fitting a flow convergence model to the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the identified dynamic regurgitant orifice.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a transvalvular pressure quantification within a cavity. The method includes acquiring a plurality of color Doppler ultrasound image frames, wherein the image frames comprise a view of a valve, one of which is then presented to a user. The user may then provide an input to indicate the location of the valve within the image frame. The location of the valve is then tracked within the remaining image frames based on the user input. A vector flow is estimated based on the color Doppler image frames and the tracked location of the valve, which may be used to estimate the flow across the valve(s) and in the cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a color Doppler ultrasound imaging method. The method includes acquiring a plurality of sparse color Doppler ultrasound image frames and B-mode ultrasound image frames. The color Doppler and B-mode image frames are then pre-processed before estimating a vector flow based on said frames by means of solving a flow vector field in a whole field of view of the image frames through an optimization framework, in which a mask is adapted to define a sparse area of observed color Doppler measurements within the sparse color Doppler image frames. A new color Doppler image frame is generated based on this estimate and included in the output image.

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: The invention relates to x-ray imaging technology as well as image post-processing. Particularly, the present invention relates to post-processing of perfusion image data acquired by an x-ray imaging apparatus by absolutely or relatively normalizing perfusion image data to allow a preferred comparison of the image data, both with regard to different acquisitions as well as different patients. To allow normalization of perfusion image data, it may be desirable to know the amount of contrast agent injected, which remains in a coronary. Subsequently, image parameters may be adapted or normalized based on the known amount of contrast agent within the coronary for normalization of perfusion image data. To obtain a precise amount of injected contrast agent, the injected volume of contrast agent flowing through a defined region or section of a vessel may be estimated. Said injected volume of contrast agent may thus be deduced from the estimation of the total volume flow at this location.

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: An X-ray image processing device for providing segmentation information with reduced X-ray dose that includes an interface unit, and a data processing unit. The interface unit is configured to provide a sequence of time series angiographic 2D images of a vascular structure obtained after a contrast agent injection. The data processing unit is configured to determine an arrival time index of a predetermined characteristic related to the contrast agent injection for each of a plurality of determined pixels along the time series, and to compute a connectivity index for each of the plurality of the determined pixels based on the arrival time index. The data processing unit is configured to generate and provide segmentation data of the vascular structure from the plurality of the determined pixels, wherein the segmentation data is based on the connectivity index of the pixels.

Abstract: The success of the positioning of devices for deployment inside an aneurysm, for example, is reliant on processes, which take place within an intervention procedure. For example, the position, orientation, or trajectory of the intervention device can affect the final position of a device for deployment deployed on the intervention device. Therefore, it is useful to predict the deployment position of a device for deployment based on a current localization of only the intervention device within an object of interest.

Abstract: The success of the positioning of devices for deployment inside an aneurysm, for example, is reliant on processes,which take place within an intervention procedure. For example, the position, orientation, or trajectory of the intervention device can affect the final position of a device for deployment deployed on the intervention device. Therefore, it is useful to predict the deployment position of a device for deployment based on a current localization of only the intervention device within an object of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vessel segmentation. In order to provide an improved way of providing segmentation information with reduced X-ray dose, an X-ray image processing device (10) is provided that comprises an interface unit (12), and a data processing unit (14). The interface unit is configured to provide a sequence of time series angiographic 2D images of a vascular structure obtained after a contrast agent injection. The data processing unit is configured to determine an arrival time index of a predetermined characteristic related to the contrast agent injection for each of a plurality of determined pixels along the time series, and to compute a connectivity index for each of the plurality of the determined pixels based on the arrival time index. The data processing unit is configured to generate segmentation data of the vascular structure from the plurality of the determined pixels, wherein the segmentation data is based on the connectivity index of the pixels.

Abstract: The invention relates to x-ray imaging technology as well as image post-processing. Particularly, the present invention relates to post-processing of perfusion image data acquired by an x-ray imaging apparatus by absolutely or relatively normalizing perfusion image data to allow a preferred comparison of the image data, both with regard to different acquisitions as well as different patients. To allow normalization of perfusion image data, it may be desirable to know the amount of contrast agent injected, which remains in a coronary. Subsequently, image parameters may be adapted or normalized based on the known amount of contrast agent within the coronary for normalization of perfusion image data. To obtain a precise amount of injected contrast agent, the injected volume of contrast agent flowing through a defined region or section of a vessel may be estimated. Said injected volume of contrast agent may thus be deduced from the estimation of the total volume flow at this location.

Abstract: To provide an improved method for achieving DSA images where the effect of residual motions in cardiac DSA during the perfusion phase is reduced and in order to display subtracted images containing less motion artefacts, a method of performing digital subtraction angiography DSA in an imaging apparatus comprises the steps of generating a first image sequence of mask images (10) of a subject to be examined, generating at least one first contrast image (22) at a first phase (16) whereby in the first contrast image part of the subject has a different contrast than in said first image sequence, subtracting the mask images (10) from the at least one first contrast image (22) generating a first DSA image sequence (24), subtracting the DSA images of the first DSA image sequence (24) from the first contrast image (22) within the first phase (16) generating a sequence of extended mask images (32); generating a second contrast image (34) with the imaging system at a second phase (18), said second phase (18) being separ

Abstract: A method for dynamically visualizing coronary information and an apparatus adapted to implement such method is described. In a preferred embodiment of the method, first dynamic cardiac data is acquired during a first cardiac stage and second dynamic cardiac data is acquired during a second cardiac stage. Then, the two data sets are visualized continuously the in a superimposed presentation, wherein the first cardiac data and the second cardiac data corresponding to a same phase within the cardiac cycle are visualized simultaneously. In this way for example information about the vessel geometry may be immediately linked with information about the muscle irrigation or perfusion. Furthermore, this useful information may be displayed in a high-contrasted and low-noise presentation.

Abstract: Method of image processing, the method comprises providing a sequence (2) of images (F) which have contrast modulation (100) along said sequence (2); providing a reference frequency (fm, 10) related to said contrast modulations (100) along said sequence (2); and filtering said sequence of images depending on said reference frequency (fm, 10). According to an embodiment, a windowed harmonic filtering is applied to the sequence of input images to extract fundamental in-phase (122) and quadrature (124) components at a heart beat frequency (fm). The resultant time-signal phase is displayed (34) as image sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging system for evaluating and displaying a deformation of a body organ. A sequence of image data sets comprising at least a first image data set and a second image data set of echographic data is acquired. A motion vector field is calculated between image points of the second image data set and image points of the first image data set. A reference point is chosen within or outside the first and second image data sets. A first scanline is defined, which comprises said reference point. A motion vector of an image point is projected onto the defined first scanline, which provides a projected tissue velocity along the first scanline. The projected tissue velocity is used for evaluating a ID component of a deformation of the body organ at the image point along the direction of the first scanline.