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: A medical imaging system and a method electromagnetically track a position of structures with the medical imaging system and a C-arm arrangement. The medical imaging system contains a C-arm, a gantry, and at least one electromagnetic field generator assembly with at least one electromagnetic field generator which interacts with an electromagnetic sensor from receiving the electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, the electromagnetic sensor is positioned within a region of surgical interest in a patient. The electromagnetic field generator is directly embedded into the C-arm.

Abstract: In a method for geometrically correct association of at least two 3D image data of a patient, a marker field that defines a reference and is dimensionally stable and can be imaged in an x-ray image, is fixed in a stationary position relative to the patient. An x-ray apparatus is brought into first and second 3D acquisition positions. In each of the 3D acquisition positions, the x-ray apparatus acquires first 2D x-ray images for the associated 3D image data in various positions. The first and second 3D acquisition positions are selected such that a second 2D x-ray image that includes an image of at least a portion of the marker field is acquired in at least one respective position. The respective attitudes of the 3D acquisition position and the 3D image data in the reference system are determined from the image of the marker field in the second 2D x-ray image. First and second image data are geometrically correctly associated with one another according to their respective attitude.

Abstract: In a method and device to visually indicate a marking location on a patient, an x-ray source generates an x-ray image in which the marking location is indicated. An optical source that emits a light beam has a coordinate system associated therewith, and a computerized coordinate transformation unit automatically determines coordinates of the optical source, in the coordinate system, that cause the light beam emitted thereby to pass through the same marking position indicated in the x-ray image, through which an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source also proceeds.

Abstract: A layer orientation is determined for a 2D layer image that is to be generated from 3D image data of an anatomical object in the body of a patient. First, a model resembling the object that is imaged in the 3D image data is selected from a model pool. The model has an assigned default orientation in a permanently selected relative position with respect to the model. While the relative position is being maintained, the model is aligned with the 3D image data so as to match the model to the object with maximum coincidence. The default orientation established relative to the 3D image data is then selected as the layer orientation for the 3D image data.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image information is generated of a body part that is larger than the visual field of an X-ray machine. An X-ray source and an X-ray detector are disposed at a first position such that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can record a first projection image of at least a first section of a body part. Then the first projection image is recorded. The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are next disposed at a second position such that the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can record a second projection image of at least a second section of the body part. The second section partially overlaps the first section. The first and second projection images are merged to form a projected image. A three-dimensional volume of the body part is reconstructed from the plurality of projection images.

Abstract: In a method for correctly geometrically assigning x-ray images of a patient an optically operating recording device is attached to an x-ray device generating the x-ray images. A dimensionally stable marker surface which can be optically detected by the recording device and defines a reference system is fixed to the patient in a fixed relative position. The x-ray device is brought into a first and second recording position such that the recording device is directed toward the marker surface. In a recording position the x-ray device produces a first and second x-ray image of the patient and the recording device produces a first and second recording of the marker surface. The respective geometric position of the first and second x-ray image is determined in the reference system from the recordings. The first and second x-ray images are correctly geometrically assigned to one another in accordance with their position.

Abstract: In an arrangement and associated method for positioning of apparatuses (in particular of a C-arm), the position and orientation of a C-arm and of a pointer instrument are determined by a navigation system, and an alignment of the C-arm is conducted based on the orientation of the pointer apparatus.

Abstract: In an imaging system and method for preparing x-ray images and optical images, at least two x-ray images of an examination subject are acquired by emitting x-rays from at least two different x-ray image acquisition points in space. At least two optical exposures are acquired from the examination subject at respective optical exposure origination points that respectively optically correspond to the x-ray image acquisition points. The optical exposures and the x-ray images are superimposed so that each optical image is superimposed with the x-ray image that originated from an x-ray image origination point corresponding to the optical exposure origination point of that optical exposure.

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: An x-ray system to generate x-ray image data of a predefined volume segment of an examination subject has either an arc-shaped mount or an annular gantry, an x-ray emitter arrangement with multiple x-ray microemitters, an x-ray detector arrangement with multiple x-ray pixels arranged directly adjacent to one another, and a controller to activate the x-ray emitter arrangement and the x-ray detector arrangement. The x-ray emitter arrangement and the x-ray detector are situated opposite one another on the arc-shaped mount or the gantry. The x-ray system is designed for introduction of the examination subject between the x-ray emitter arrangement and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: A medical navigation system for electromagnetic position and/or location determination of a sensor coil, which is located in a navigation space, includes a number of navigation modules, each having at least one field coil and a position coil. In each module, the sensor coil and the position coil have a fixed and known spatial relationship with each other. Each navigation module spans a navigation volume, with the respective navigation volumes in combination forming the navigation space. The individual navigation modules are arranged such that the position coil of a first of the navigation modules is located within the navigation volume of at least one other of the navigation modules. The first of the navigation modules and the other of the navigation modules are connected by a communication link.

Abstract: In a method, a system and a computer readable storage medium encoded with programming instructions, as well as a calculation module for three-dimensional presentation of at least two separate surgical objects within a medical procedure, access to three-dimensional models for the surgical objects takes place based on an acquired two-dimensional x-ray image with the surgical objects. The accessed three-dimensional models are integrated into the acquired two-dimensional x-ray image in order to be shown as a modified x-ray image. The modified x-ray image includes position information, relative positions and orientations of the surgical objects.

Abstract: In a method for determining the projection geometry of an x-ray apparatus, an x-ray image of an object inside the patient is generated using the x-ray apparatus. A first measurement of a characteristic dimension of the imaged object is determined in the x-ray image. A second measurement of the characteristic dimension is determined using real geometry data of the object. The projection geometry is then determined using the first and second measurements.

Abstract: In a medical navigation system and an operating method therefor, a navigation device, having a field of view, detects a position indicator attached to a subject within the navigation field of view, and the navigation device, and thus the navigation field of view, are varied in position by a motorized drive connected to the navigation device. The current attitude of the navigation device and the position indicator are detected, and based on this detection, the motorized drive is operated and controlled so as to always maintain the position indicator within the navigation field of view of the navigation device.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing and presenting x-ray images, an x-ray image of a subject is acquired with an x-ray acquisition cone simultaneously with the acquisition of an optical exposure of the examination subject with an optical acquisition cone that is congruent with the x-ray acquisition cone. The subject in the optical exposure is subjected to segmentation and/or edge extraction, and the extracted optical exposure and the x-ray image are additively combined so that the subject edges from the optical exposure are inserted into the x-ray image.

Abstract: In a method or system for limiting use of capsule endoscopes by a capsule endoscope maagnetic steering system used by a customer, the capsule endoscope is provided with a use code stored with the capsule. The use code is read and analyzed to determine whether or not the customer's capsule endoscope magnetic steering system will be enabled or disabled for use with the capsule endoscope from which the use code was read.

Abstract: In a method for positioning a magnetically navigable endoscopy capsule using a magnetic coil system, to bring the capsule to a known finding position within a region in the body of a patient supported on a patient table, the finding position is identified in at least one volume data set that encompasses the finding position, the volume data set is registered with respect to the patient, the volume data set and the finding position therein are transformed into the coordinate system of the magnetic coil system, and the magnetic coil system is operated to position the endoscopy capsule inserted into the patient to automatically control routing of the capsule to the finding position.

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 medical system has an electromagnetic navigation system and a patient bed that supports a patient during a medical procedure assisted by the navigation system. The navigation system includes at least one field coil that is integrated in the patient bed at a defined position.