Abstract: A medical image viewing device for navigation in X-ray imaging includes a processor. The processor is configured to perform a 3D-2D registration of a preoperative three-dimensional volume based on geometry parameters of an image data provider, 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 structure-suppressed fluoroscopy images, an angiographic image sequence is generated performing a motion estimation of the structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for automatic quantification of a part of vascular structure. It is described to provide (12) at least one first image comprising a spatial representation of a region of interest of a vascular structure, wherein the at least one first image comprises image data representative of a location of a part of a medical device. The medical device is configured to be used in a vascular treatment, and the part of the medical device is configured to be in a plurality of states associated with different phases of the vascular treatment. At least one second image comprising a spatial representation of the region of interest of the vascular structure is provided (14), wherein the at least one second image comprises image data representative of at least a part of the vascular structure in a visible and distinct manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatic road mapping for heart valve replacement and an examination apparatus for automatic road mapping for heart valve replacement. In order to provide the cardiologist or surgeon with better information during PHV implantation, an examination apparatus for automatic roadmapping for heart valve replacement is provided, that comprises at least one X-ray image acquisition device (10), a calculation unit (18) and a display device (20). The image acquisition device is adapted to acquire (32) at least one X-ray image of a vessel root region of a heart with injected contrast agent and to acquire (46) at least one current fluoroscopy image of the vessel root region with a replacement valve inserted into the vessel.

Abstract: A position determination apparatus for determining the position of a working element arranged within an object having an inner structure with respect to a model of the object. The position and shape of a registration element 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to localization of a vascular treatment and quantification of a part of a vascular structure. It is described to provide (12) at least one first image comprising a representation of a region of interest of a vascular structure. At least one second image comprising a representation of the region of interest of the vascular structure is provided (14). Between an acquisition of the at least one first image and an acquisition of the at least one second image, a vascular treatment might have been applied to the region of interest of the vascular structure, wherein the representation of the region of interest of the vascular structure relates to spatial extension information of the vascular structure at least in one image plane. At least one reference image from an image set formed from the at least one first image and the at least one second image is selected (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing vascular structures. In order to provide further improved digital subtraction angiography, a device (10) for visualizing vascular structures is provided that comprises a data provision unit (12), a data processing module (14), and an output unit (16). The data provision unit is configured to provide a first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images of a region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray mask images. The data provision unit is also configured to provide a second sequence of contrast X-ray images of the region of interest of a patient for use as raw X-ray live-images. The processing unit is configured to perform a first spatial subtraction for the first sequence of non-contrast X-ray images resulting in a first sequence of spatial-subtracted mask images. The processing unit is also configured to perform a second spatial subtraction for the second sequence of contrast X-ray images resulting in a second sequence of spatial-subtracted X-ray live-images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to displaying spatial information of an interventional device in a live 2D X-ray image. In order to provide a facilitated visualization technique to provide 3D information of a subject, a device (10) for providing spatial information of an interventional device in a live 2D X-ray image is provided. The device comprises an input unit (12), and a processing unit (16). The input unit is configured to provide an actual 2D X-ray image (18) of a region of interest related to a portion of a patient's body. A target location (22) lies within the region of interest. At least a portion (20) of an interventional device is arranged in the region of interest. The input unit is configured to provide actual 3D ultrasound data of at least a part of the region of interest and at least a portion of an interventional device (19). The target location (22) lies within the region of interest. The processing unit is configured to register the actual 3D ultrasound data to the actual 2D X-ray image.

Abstract: An imaging system and a related method include a marker detection system (MDS) to detect one or more markers (MK) spatially arranged in association with an area (A). If the marker detection system (MDS) detects that the area (A) is within a field-of-view (FoV) of the imaging system or is at least within a predefined distance thereof, a control signal is issued in respect of the area (A) to an image acquisition system (ACS) of the imaging system. The area (A) may be one of a hand of a human operator or a part of a patient to be imaged.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for imaging assisted interventional procedure that receive images of a region of interest, that automatically detect in the images a contrast agent puff as it courses through the region of interest, and that generate a display including a video replay loop of contrast enhanced images based on the automatic detection of the contrast agent puff.

Abstract: Method and related system (IPS) for visualizing in particular a volume of a substance during its deposition at a region of interest (ROI). A difference image is formed from a projection image and a mask image. The difference image is then analyzed to derive more accurate motion information about a motion or shape of the substance. The method or system (IPS) is capable of operating in an iterative manner. The proposed system and method can be used for processing fluoroscopic X-ray frame acquired by an imaging arrangement (100) during an embolization procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a functional index for stenosis assessment of a vessel is provided. The apparatus comprises an input interface (40) and a processing unit (50). The input interface is configured to obtain image data (30) representing a two-dimensional representation of a vessel (6). The processing unit (50) is configured to determine a course of the vessel (6) and a width (w1, w2) of the vessel along its course in the image data and is further configured to determine the functional index for stenosis assessment of the vessel based on the width of the vessel in the image data.

Abstract: Vasculature modeling systems and methods are disclosed that generate an enhanced 3D model based on a combination of two dimensional, 2D, imaging data of a region of interest and 3D imaging data of the region of interest. A hemodynamic simulation is performed using the enhanced 3D model to derive at least one hemodynamic parameter based on the hemodynamic simulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device 10 for automatically identifying a part 20a, 20b of an anatomy structure comprising several parts 20a, 20b, in which anatomy structure an intervention device 21 resides. The device 10 comprises a feature extraction unit 11 and an anatomy part classification unit 13. The feature extraction unit 11 uses provided image content data ICD to extract at least one characterizing feature DS of the appearance of 10 the intervention device 21. The anatomy part classification unit 13 correlates the at least one characterizing feature DS with provided classifier data CD which are characteristic for a projection feature of the intervention device 21 viewed under certain geometry of an imaging system 30. After correlating, the anatomy part classification unit 13 determines in which part 20a, 20b of the anatomy structure comprising several parts 20a, 20b the intervention device 2115 is located.

Abstract: A medical imaging device allowing easy and robust representation of anatomic structures within a region of interest in a patient body includes an image acquisition device, an image segmentation device, a visualization device and a separate selection button. In an image of the region of interest, anatomic structures may be automatically identified using image segmentation techniques. Therein, not only one but a plurality of candidate images including differently identified anatomic structures is provided. The plurality of candidate images may be visualized on a display sequentially or in an overlying manner. Using the easy accessible and easy to handle separate selection button, a physician may cycle through the plurality of candidate images and manually select one candidate image only by activating the selection button for further exploitation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of contrast agent arrival in X-ray imaging. In order to provide an improved way of detecting contrast agent arrival in X-ray imaging for reducing the delay in the detection, a temporal sequence of X-ray image data is provided (102) comprising a plurality of frames with a field of view of an anatomy of interest and an inserted catheter for delivery of contrast agent, wherein, in the field of view, contrast agent is injected with the catheter during the temporal sequence. At least one location for measuring contrast in each of the frames is determined (104), wherein the at least one location for measuring contrast pertains to a portion of the catheter in the field of view in the image data. Contrast is measured (106) at the at least one location for each of the frames at least in the image part pertaining to the portion of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a medical device implantation warning includes a processor to automatically generate a spatial implantation envelope of a first medical device. The envelope defines a spatial extent of a region of implantation around a first medical device prior to, during, and/or after deployment of the first medical device for implantation. If a second medical device, such as a pigtail catheter, strays into the area, an alarm is generated to warn a medical professional to withdraw the pigtail catheter, before deployment continues.

Abstract: An image processing method and related system to register projection images (AG, MI) only with respect to a motion of a landmark across said images. The motion of the landmark relates to a motion of a region of interest, ROI. The so registered images (AG, MI) are then subtracted from each other to arrive at a difference image that is locally motion compensated and that represents the ROI at good contrast while subtraction artifacts can be avoided.

Abstract: (DSA) enables the vascular structure around a heart to be displayed using the injection of a contrast medium while the heart is being observed by an X-ray apparatus. The quality of a DSA sequence can be affected by the breathing of the patient, when under examination. This is because the images forming a DSA sequence are gathered using an X-ray modality, and therefore the independent movement of transparent tissues inside a patient causes motion artifacts to appear in DSA images. According to an aspect of the present invention, a method, device, X-ray system, computer program element, and a computer readable medium are provided which can correct artifacts appearing in DSA images which originate from to the motion of the heart and the motion caused by breathing in a patient.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound image acquisition for tracking an object of interest in ultrasound image information includes receiving X-ray image information and ultrasound image information, determining, before the tracking, a spatial relationship between the X-ray image information and the ultrasound image information, detecting an object of interest in the X-ray image information and steering two-dimensional ultrasound image acquisition such that the object of interest is within an ultrasound image plane.

Abstract: A medical imaging system having an X-ray image acquisition device, a plurality of proximity sensors located at components of the X-ray image acquisition device and a processing unit is able to prevent unintended X-ray radiation to an object in a field of irradiation. For this purpose, the processing unit is configured for determining temporal differences of distance information delivered by the proximity sensors, for generating reference distance information based on acquired distance information with an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and the patient support in fixed positions, for filtering out reference distance information from the acquired distance information and for generating a signal in case temporal differences are determined exceeding a predetermined threshold.