Abstract: An apparatus for visualizing image material in a multimodal imaging environment. Images (XF, USV) from an X-ray imager (100) and an ultrasound probe (USP) are fused into an interactive graphics display (GUI) to form a 3D scene, where, alongside to a 3D rendering (USS) of an ultrasound volume (USV) an X-Ray projection plan (XF) is displayed in perspective within the same scene. The rendering is according to a user selected view (UV) which is changeable upon user interaction with the interactive graphics display (GUI).

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation assistance system for assisting in navigating an interventional instrument within a subject. An implanted object opening model (21) and a vessel opening model (27) are generated based on a provided interventional image data set, wherein the models define a respective position, shape and dimension in a frame of reference. These models and a position, which is also provided in the frame of reference, and optionally also a shape (25) of the interventional instrument are used for generating a graphical representation showing the implanted object opening model, the vessel opening model and the provided position and optionally shape of the interventional instrument, thereby providing guidance for a physician, which allows the physician to relatively easily navigate the interventional instrument such that it is moved through the opening of the implanted object and through the opening of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation assistance system for assisting in navigating an interventional instrument (10) within a subject during an interventional procedure. Based on a provided current position and shape of the interventional instrument, a provided target position defining the position of a target (45) to which the interventional instrument is to be moved and provided configuration information being indicative of possible configurations of the interventional instrument a possible path (50) is determined, which allows the interventional instrument to reach the target. The determined possible path and preferentially also the current position and shape of the interventional instrument and the target position can be shown on a display in realtime, while a physician moves the interventional instrument, thereby assisting the physician in navigating the interventional instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an medical interventional imaging device (1) for monitoring an interventional procedure, the medical interventional imaging device (1) comprising: a temporary data buffer (10) configured to temporarily store medical interventional fluoroscopic image data; a signal processor (20) configured to detect if an abnormal state occurs during an intervention and to record an instant at which the abnormal state has occurred; and a permanent data storage (30) configured to permanently store at least a part of the medical interventional fluoroscopic image data stored temporarily before and/or at the recorded instant if the abnormal state is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pairing an anatomy representation with live images. In order to provide an enhanced and more flexible pairing of an anatomy representation with live images, for pairing an anatomy representation with live images, reference projected-anatomy image data of a device in a spatial relation to the anatomy is provided (100), wherein the image data comprises at least a first and second image showing the device from different viewing angles. Further, an anatomy representation with an anatomy frame of reference is provided (200). The anatomy representation is brought (300) into spatial coherence with the at least first and second image of the reference projected anatomy image data. A three-dimensional model of the device within the anatomy frame of reference is computed (400) from the projected anatomy image data. At least one live image is provided (500) containing the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for positioning a marker (2) in a 3D ultrasonic image volume (3), a system for positioning a marker (2) in a 3D ultrasonic image volume (3), a method for positioning a marker (2) in a 3D ultrasonic image volume (3), a computer program element for controlling such device (1) for performing such method and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The device (1) comprises an image provision unit (11), a marker unit (12) and a display unit (13). The image provision unit (11) is configured to provide a 3D ultrasonic image volume (3) showing an object (4). The marker unit (12) is configured to position a marker (2) in the 3D ultrasonic image volume (3). The display unit (13) is configured to display the 3D ultrasonic image volume (3) and the marker (2) in a first imaging view (31) in a first imaging plane and in a second imaging view (32) in a second, different imaging plane.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method take as input a pre-op reference image (OP) and a stream (A) of angiographic images (A1-A3). Based on multiple pre-defined regions of interest (ROIa-c) in the pre-op reference image (PO), the angiographic image best showing when displayed a respective one of the regions of interest (ROIa-c) is detected from among the stream (A) of angiographic images (A1-A3). The detected angiographic image is associated with the region of interest to form an associative data structure (DS). A graphical user interface (GUI) is generated that allows based on the associative data structure (DS) to retrieve the associated angiography upon a user selecting any one of the regions of interest (ROIa-c) on the graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing information of an object.

Abstract: A medical image viewing device (14) for navigation in X-ray imaging is proposed, which inter alia comprises a processing unit (30). The processing unit (30) is configured to perform a 3D-2D registration of a preoperative three-dimensional volume based on geometry parameters of an image data providing unit, which provides fluoroscopy images of an object of interest and a plurality of structures with interfering motions to be removed, for creating digitally reconstructed radiograph images of these structures for each fluoroscopy image. These are subtracted from the respective fluoroscopy images to generate structure-suppressed fluoroscopy images free from interfering motions. Based on these, an angiographic image sequence is generated performing a motion estimation of the structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image acquisition technology. In particular, the present invention relates to tracking of an object of interest in ultrasound image information. For interventional procedures, an object of interest, e.g. the tool by which a procedure is performed, is depicted in image information acquired by a certain imaging modality. However, e.g. during transcatheter intracardiac procedures, tools are employed, which are rather narrow objects that may experience substantive passive motion due to heartbeat and blood flow as well as active motion due to the interventionist steering the tool. The present invention to allows steering two-dimensional ultrasound image acquisition, in particular steering of an imaging plane of an ultrasound image acquisition device, so that an object of interest remains visible in the acquired images, in particular without continuous readjustment of imaging parameters.

Abstract: The intention relates to a system (1) and a corresponding method for automatic roadmapping for endovascular interventions. In order to enable an enhanced roadmapping visualization without unnecessary device-footprints, the system (1) comprises: an x-ray imaging device (3) for acquiring x-ray images and a calculation unit (5). The x-ray imaging device (3) is adapted for acquiring a first x-ray image (21) with an interventional device (17) present in the vessels (19) while no contrast agent is present in the vessels (19). Furthermore, the x-ray imaging device (3) is adapted for acquiring a second x-ray image (23) with the interventional device (17) present in the vessels (19) while contrast agent is present in the vessels (19). The calculation unit is adapted for creating a roadmap image (27) by subtracting the first x-ray image (21) from the second x-ray image (23).

Abstract: A medical imaging device and a method for providing an image representation supporting inaccurate positioning of an intervention device in a vessel intervention procedure is proposed. Therein, an anatomy representation (AR) of a vessel region of interest and at least one angiogram X-ray image (RA) and a live fluoroscopy X-ray image (LI) are acquired.

Abstract: An apparatus for visualizing image material in a multimodal imaging environment. Images (XF, USV) from an X-ray imager (100) and an ultrasound probe (USP) are fused into an interactive graphics display (GUI) to form a 3D scene, where, alongside to a 3D rendering (USS) of an ultrasound volume (USV) an X-Ray projection plan (XF) is displayed in perspective within the same scene. The rendering is according to a user selected view (UV) which is changeable upon user interaction with the interactive graphics display (GUI).

Abstract: The present invention relates to image processing for enhancing ultrasound images. In order to provide image data showing the current situation, for example in a region of interest of a patient, an image processing device (10) for enhancing ultrasound images is provided that comprises an image data input unit (12), a central processing unit (14), and a display unit (16). The image data input unit is configured to provide an ultrasound image of a region of interest of an object, and to provide an X-ray image of the region of interest of the object. The central processing unit is configured to select a predetermined image area in the X-ray image, to register the ultrasound image and the X-ray image, to detect the predetermined area in the ultrasound image based on the registered selected predetermined image area, and to highlight at least a part of the detected area in the ultrasound image to generate a boosted ultrasound image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position determination apparatus for determining the position of a working element (5) arranged within an object (3) having an inner structure with respect to a model of the object. The position and shape of a registration element (7) within the inner structure of the object are provided and used for determining a transformation relating the inner structure of the model and the position and shape of the registration element with respect to each other, wherein the position of the working element with respect to the model is determined depending on a provided spatial relation between the working element and the registration element and the determined transformation. In this way the position of the working element with respect to the model of the object can be determined without necessarily requiring x-ray projection images showing the working element and, thus, without necessarily applying x-rays to the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing information of an object.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method take as input a pre-op reference image (OP) and a stream (A) of angiographic images (A1-A3). Based on a plurality of predefined regions of interest (ROIa-c) in said reference image (PO), the angiographic image best showing when displayed a respective one of the regions of interest (ROIa-c) is detected from among the steam (A) of angiographic images (A1-A3). The detected angiographic image is associated with said region of interest to form an associative data structure (DS). A graphical user interface (GUI) is generated that allows based on said associative data structure (DS) to retrieve the associated angiography upon a user selecting any one of the regions of interest (ROIa-c) on said graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cavity determination apparatus for determining a cavity (3) within an object (2), in particular for determining the location and dimensions of a heart chamber within a person. A bendable segment of an introduction element (5) is arranged within the cavity in different arrangements, wherein curves defined by the bendable segment in the different arrangements are determined by a curve determination unit (7). A cavity reconstruction unit (8) reconstructs the cavity based on the determined curves. Thus, not only single locations within the cavity are acquired and used for reconstructing the cavity, but larger curves. A lot of spatial information can therefore be acquired and used very fast. This allows reconstructing the cavity with improved quality in a relatively short time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pairing an anatomy representation with live images. In order to provide an enhanced and more flexible pairing of an anatomy representation with live images, for pairing an anatomy representation with live images, reference projected-anatomy image data of a device in a spatial relation to the anatomy is provided (100), wherein the image data comprises at least a first and second image showing the device from different viewing angles. Further, an anatomy representation with an anatomy frame of reference is provided (200). The anatomy representation is brought (300) into spatial coherence with the at least first and second image of the reference projected anatomy image data. A three-dimensional model of the device within the anatomy frame of reference is computed (400) from the projected anatomy image data. At least one live image is provided (500) containing the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device for guidance support, a medical imaging system for providing guidance support, a method for guidance support, a method for operating an image processing device for guidance support, as well as a computer program element, and a computer readable medium. In order to provide enhanced and easily perceptible information about the actual situation, it is proposed to provide (110) 3D data (112) of a region of interest of an object, to provide (114) image data (116) of at least a part of the region of interest, wherein a device is located at least partly within the region of interest, to generate (118) a 3D model (120) of the device from the image data, and to provide (122) data for a model-updated 3D image (124) by embedding (126) the 3D model within the 3D data.