Abstract: A method for localization and identification of a structure in a projection image with a system having a known system geometry, includes acquiring a preoperative computer-tomography or CT image of a structure, preprocessing the CT-image to a volume image, acquiring an intraoperative two dimensional or 2D X-ray image, preprocessing the 2D X-ray image to a fix image, estimating an approximate pose of the structure, calculating a digitally reconstructed radiograph or DRR using the volume image, the estimated pose and the system geometry, and calculating a correlation between the generated DRR and the fix image, with a correlation value representing matching between the generated DRR and the fix image. The method significantly decreases the number of wrong-level surgeries and is independent of the surgeon's ability to localize and/or identify a target level in a body.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the position of a medical instrument, particularly for the purpose of medical navigation. In order to use a simple system to provide a relatively inexpensive technique for determining positional information, the position and/or orientation of the medical instrument is determined by ascertaining the same on the basis of position finding operations. Electromagnetic fields are first measured and the results of relative field strength measurements are taken as a basis for ascertaining the direction of a line from a transmitter to a receiver. After this direction information is known, it is used to determine the positional information of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A first x-ray image is acquired at a predetermined position of a focal point and with a first orientation of an x-ray tube of an x-ray device. Subsequently, the x-ray tube is adjusted by rotating about a predetermined angle and by positioning, wherein the focal point is situated in the predetermined position prior to the adjustment and after the adjustment. After the adjustment, the x-ray tube is situated in a second orientation. Subsequently, a second x-ray image is acquired at the predetermined position and with the second orientation. A combined x-ray image from at least the first and second x-ray image is produced.

Abstract: A method for determining the location, in a coordinate system, of a target position for an invasive medical procedure on a patient. An entry mark that defines the coordinate system and indicates an entry position for the procedure is affixed to the patient. A site marker, which can be identified in a radioscopy image, is fixed in a known relative location in the coordinate system. At least two 2D radioscopy images of the patient, which both depict the respective site marker and the target position, are recorded from different recording directions. The location of the target position in the coordinate system is determined from the representation of the target position and from the representation of the site marker in the 2D radioscopy images and from the relative location of the site marker in the coordinate system.

Abstract: A navigation aid for introducing an elongate medical penetration element into a patient. An X-ray image, containing a target region for the penetration element in a desired target position in a patient, is superimposed in alignment with video sequence images, containing at least in part the penetration element, to form a combination image sequence. The penetration element is captured in a start position and a desired penetration course of the penetration element at least to the target region of the penetration element in a desired target position, is visually displayed in the combination image sequence. A penetration element, such as a medical implant and/or instrument, in particular a K-wire (Kirschner wire), may carry a number of markers, such as additional bodies, coatings, elevations, and/or depressions, said markers altering a light reflection, are situated on and/or at and/or in the penetration element.

Abstract: A system for displaying an image includes at least one x-ray source for emitting radiation, a detector for acquiring the radiation emitted by the radiation source for generating an x-ray image, the detector being disposed opposite the radiation source in relation to an object to be examined, a computer unit for performing computational operations, a display device for displaying x-ray images acquired by the detector and at least one data acquisition unit for acquiring surface information of the object to be examined. The data acquisition unit is disposed on the detector side and the computer unit is configured to correlate the data acquired by the detector-side data acquisition unit with the x-ray image.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a mobile C-arm, is positioned and/or aligned via a touch-sensitive control panel of a tablet. The touch-sensitive control panel provides access to one or more function units, for example, for initiating control signals for a positioning and/or an alignment of the medical device, or a second function unit for specifying a direction of movement for a mobile medical unit, or a third function unit for specifying a motion speed for the mobile medical device.

Abstract: An X-ray device has a detector which is arranged on a mobile unit and is assigned to a first positioning unit. An X-ray source is arranged on an arcuate second positioning unit. The positioning of the first and second positioning units can be matched to one another in the course of their movements. The first positioning unit has at least one articulated arm and the second positioning unit has a first and a second arc-shaped positioning element. The first and second positioning units are arranged separately from one another on a movable unit.

Abstract: A method for repositioning a mobile imaging system includes: a) capturing an image recording of at least one optical marker as a reference variable which is disposed close to an examination and/or treatment area of an object, b) capturing the image recording direction as a further reference variable, c) wherein the capturing mobile imaging system is in a predefined position and/or alignment suitable for image recording, d) detecting a changed and/or non-capturable position of the at least one optical marker and/or a changed and/or non-capturable image recording direction, and e) repositioning the mobile imaging system using a comparison of the reference variables from a) and b) with the respectively corresponding reference variables from d). An image capturing unit and an optical marker are also provided.

Abstract: A method generates a 3D image data set of a volume to be examined, in which at least part of a foreign object is positioned. A set of 2D projection images is recorded, the image regions which present the foreign object are detected in at least two 2D projection images of the set. The image regions which present the foreign object are segmented in the at least two 2D projection images. A marking assigned to the segmented image regions is incorporated in the at least two 2D projection images. The 2D projection images, including the at least two 2D projection images having the incorporated markings, are used for the reconstruction of a 3D image data set containing the marking.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method determine a virtual spatial reconstruction of a surgical tool imaged in a 2D x-ray image. A reconstruction module segments a 2D image of at least one element of the surgical tool in the 2D x-ray image and a spatial reconstruction of the at least one element is implemented after the spatial configuration of the 2D image of the at least one element is determined.

Abstract: It is possible, by use of a calibration scale shown in partial X-ray images, for non-overlapping partial X-ray images to be combined and assigned to one another. Therefore the individual x-ray images which are not overlapping can be related spatially. In this manner x-ray images only have to be made of surgically significant regions and therefore the x-ray exposure of a patient is reduced.

Abstract: A method for artifact-free rendering of metal parts in 3D three-dimensionally reconstructed images of an examination object in a patient, includes recording a 3D scan without metal parts producing a 3D data record, recording n projection images with metal parts from known locations or directions, 2D/3D registering bone in the n projection images with the 3D data record, 2D/3D registering of the metal parts from the n projection images and 3D models of the metal parts, calculating locations of the metal parts in the 3D data record based on the 2D/3D registration thereof, and superposing all current locations of the metal parts in the 3D data record. There is no need for a new 3D scan to check current screw positions. The 3D representation of screw positions in the bone is performed without artifacts, enabling reliable assessment of screw locations, for example in spinal column surgery.

Abstract: An endoscopy system has an endo-robot that is navigable within an anatomical lumen of a patient by interacting with a magnetic field generated by an extracorporeal magnet system. The patient lies on a patient bed that is movable in one or more directions and/or orientations, and an obstacle detects objects in the movement path of the endo-robot in the anatomical lumen and produces a signal that causes the position and/or orientation of the patient bed to be altered dependent thereon.

Abstract: First and second equipment units are connected to a coupling unit configured with angle and/or position sensors in order to determine thereby, for example, a relative position of a first equipment unit in relation to a second equipment unit. In this manner alignment of the first and second equipment units is expedited.

Abstract: In a C-arm system and a method for image acquisition of an x-ray projection image, wherein the projection region of the subject that is to be images is larger than the maximum projection region covered by a stationary x-ray beam, and to generate a complete exposure of the entire projection region to be imaged, at least two individual projection exposures are generated and combined. The generation of the at least two individual exposures takes place with a focus that is stationary relative to the subject and with a modified spatial angle of the emitted x-ray beam.

Abstract: A bone fracture is treated by employing a database with comparison data records. The records each include at least one 3D image data record of at least one bone. Each comparison data record is assigned to an examination object, into which a comparison implant was implanted prior to recording the 3D image data record. A two-dimensional x-ray image of a target bone is generated. A 2D/3D registration of the x-ray image with 3D image data records is effected and a deviation value is calculated for each comparison data record. A reference data record is determined by selecting the comparison data record that includes the 3D image data record with the lowest deviation value. An implantation parameter is determined which describes a parameter of the implant and/or of a fastening element for fastening the implant, using the reference data record and/or displaying data of the reference data record on a display.

Abstract: A system for displaying an image includes at least one x-ray source for emitting radiation, a detector for acquiring the radiation emitted by the radiation source for generating an x-ray image, the detector being disposed opposite the radiation source in relation to an object to be examined, a computer unit for performing computational operations, a display device for displaying x-ray images acquired by the detector and at least one data acquisition unit for acquiring surface information of the object to be examined. The data acquisition unit is disposed on the detector side and the computer unit is configured to correlate the data acquired by the detector-side data acquisition unit with the x-ray image.

Abstract: A first x-ray image is acquired at a predetermined position of a focal point and with a first orientation of an x-ray tube of an x-ray device. Subsequently, the x-ray tube is adjusted by rotating about a predetermined angle and by positioning, wherein the focal point is situated in the predetermined position prior to the adjustment and after the adjustment. After the adjustment, the x-ray tube is situated in a second orientation. Subsequently, a second x-ray image is acquired at the predetermined position and with the second orientation. A combined x-ray image from at least the first and second x-ray image is produced.

Abstract: A method establishes a spatial position of a part of an x-ray ruler imaged in at least one x-ray image. The X-ray ruler is attached to an alignment of an object to be x-rayed. The X-ray ruler has at least a first part and a second part each having x-ray markers, and the first and second parts are connected to each other by a connection element. A spatial configuration of the x-ray markers is determined on a basis of images of the x-markers in an x-ray image or x-ray images.