Abstract: A mobile C-arm is able to be positioned in a predetermined alignment by a positioning unit and an associated method. The apparatus has a positioning unit containing a controllable section having at least a first hinged bracket and a first hinge and is able to be positioned with a removable connection to the medical device at a determinable location. The medical device is able to be positioned at a predetermined location by means of the positioning unit.

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 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: The pose of an implant represented in a medical image is determined from the medical image. The x-ray image of the implant is compared to a database of the implant viewed at different poses (e.g., viewed from different directions). The implant pose associated with the best match indicates the pose of the implant in the x-ray image.

Abstract: Artifacts caused by at least one metal object in a target region to be imaged are corrected during the reconstruction of a three-dimensional image dataset from a number of two-dimensional projection images of the target region recorded from different projection directions with an x-ray device. An orientation and position of a three-dimensional model of the known metal object is determined in the coordinate system of the x-ray device via a 2D-3D registration with at least one two-dimensional projection image, after which, for each radiation path of the projection images running through the metal object, on the basis of attenuation information through the metal object assigned to the model, an attenuation portion through the metal object is calculated for the projection image data assigned to the radiation path and is obtained by computation for determining modified projection images from the projection image data. The three-dimensional image dataset is determined from the modified projection images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating fused-image visualization for surgery evaluation. In accordance with one aspect of the framework, at least one pre-operative image and at least one intra-operative image of an anatomical structure are received. A region of interest may be identified in the intra-operative image. The pre-operative image may be straightened, and a symmetric region may be identified in the straightened pre-operative image. The symmetric region is substantially symmetrical to a target region in the straightened pre-operative region. The target region corresponds to the region of interest in the intra-operative image. The symmetric region may be extracted and reflected to generate a reference image. The intra-operative image may be rigidly registered with the reference image to generate registered intra-operative image, which is overlaid on the target region in the straightened pre-operative image to generate a fused image.

Abstract: A supporting device is provided for a radiation source and a radiation detector, as well as an imaging device having a supporting device. The supporting device contains a base unit, a guidance device with a first segment and a second segment, and a first support arm. The first segment is rotatably arranged at a first rotation connection at the first support arm. The first support arm is pivotably arranged at the base unit of the supporting device such that, by a pivot movement of the first support arm, the first segment can be moved from a first position in which the segments make contact with one another, into a second position in which the segments are separated from one another.

Abstract: A method for producing an X-ray projection image of a body region of a patient using a desired spatial location of a central ray, includes positioning a pointing element relative to the patient indicating a location of a pointing line and causing the location of the pointing line to coincide with the desired central ray location. A pointing line location and a central ray location currently set on an X-ray machine are recorded. A measure for deviation between the pointing line and the currently set central ray location is determined and used to set the desired central ray location. A medical apparatus includes an X-ray machine taking an X-ray projection image along a central ray, a pointing element indicating a pointing line, an acquisition unit detecting the pointing line location and the currently set central ray location, and a control and evaluation unit implementing software carrying out the method.

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: 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: An X-ray facility has at least one x-ray emitter, an x-ray detector and an isocenter arranged along a central beam path between the x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector. The x-ray emitter and the x-ray detector are arranged on separate support arms. At least one rotary device is provided on each support arm, by way of which the x-ray emitter or the x-ray detector can be rotated about an axis of rotation intersecting the isocenter and not corresponding to the central beam. Wherein the axes of rotation match rotary devices assigned to one another on different support arms.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a capture device for capturing 1D or 2D image data. A position and/or orientation for a moving section of an examination object is captured, for example using a measuring device, for a plurality of capture times for the image data. A computation device reconstructs 3D volume data from the image data based on projection parameters and based on the position and/or orientation of the moving section of the examination object.

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: The device enables the detection of positions of the navigation marking elements on a reference star by way of at least two projection images taken by an X-ray system at different pivoting angles of a C-arm. The positions of the navigation marking elements on the reference star are also calculated by a navigation system tracking camera. The transformation from the coordinate system of the navigation system into the coordinate system of the X-ray system is calculated from the position of the reference star detected by the X-ray system and the position of the reference star detected by the tracking camera. The navigation marking elements are located outside of the volume which is reconstructed by way of the imaging process in order to prepare tomographic images. The positions of the navigation marking elements are determined from two-dimensional projections. All the navigation marking elements need only be detected by at least two projection images.

Abstract: In a method to determine a parameter of a fixing element for an implant to be affixed to a bone, the actual design of the bone and the relative attitude of the implant positioned on this are determined, a virtual 3D model depicting the actual design of the bone and the relative attitude of the implant is generated, and a parameter of the fixing element is determined automatically using the virtual 3D model.

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 computer-aided control system, a computer-based method and a computer program or a computer program product control an implant positioning of an endoprosthesis. Planning data are generated on the basis of a preoperatively acquired first image data set. The endoprosthesis is provisionally positioned intraoperatively. A second image data set representing the current ACTUAL position of the endoprosthesis is thereupon acquired. Control data are thereupon generated, the control data serve for the fine positioning of the endoprosthesis and being based on a comparison between DESIRED and ACTUAL states.

Abstract: An endocapsule has a measurement chamber therein containing a sensor that detects at least one metabolic product of a specific bacterium in a hollow organ of a human or animal gastrointestinal tract. The endocapsule is introduced into the hollow organ wherein detection of the at least one metabolic product takes place.

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.

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.