Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring cardiac activity starting from a series of images of the heart made by X-rays. Attenuation of the X-rays is sampled on an area subject to repetitive thickenings of at least one wall of the heart, and a repetitive attenuation signal is interpreted as a signal representative of the heart activity.

Abstract: A method of detection and compensation for respiratory motion improves the registration between a 3D pre-operation image and X-ray images acquired during a cardiac intervention. By synchronizing the X-ray images with the electrocardiogram, the disclosed method thus eliminates the motion related to the heart cycle from these images, thus isolating the contribution of the respiratory motion. From this point, an algorithm is proposed capable of attributing the motion remaining in the radiography images to respiration. The algorithm also enables this motion to be detected and compensated for in order to obtain a registration between 3D cardiac images and radiography images.

Abstract: A system and method to track movement of a tool in percutaneous replacement of a heart valve of a subject is provided. The system includes an imaging system, a navigation system operable to track movement of the tool through the patient and to illustrate a representation of a position the tool in spatial relation relative to images acquired by the imaging system, and a controller. The controller is operable to identify one of a series of pathways to move the tool through a patient in percutaneous replacement of the heart valve, to identify a sequence of models illustrative of the one of the plurality of pathways, to detect the position of the tool within a threshold of one of the models in the sequence, and to generate display including a representation of the tool superimposed relative to the model within the threshold.

Abstract: An imaging system of an object in an imaged subject is provided. The imaging system includes an image detector and a guidewire in support of a pair of markers. The imaging system also includes a controller in communication with the image detector. The controller includes a processor in communication to execute a series of programmable instructions stored in a memory, the programmable instructions including acquiring a plurality of acquired images, detecting a position of the pair of markers, calculating a first mathematical representation of an alignment of the guidewire between the markers and a second mathematical representation of an alignment of the guidewire not between the markers, and registering the first and second mathematical representations of the guidewire extending through the object relative to more than one of the acquired images so as to locate the object in at least one of the acquired images.

Abstract: Methods for displaying a location of a point of interest on a 3-D model of an anatomical region of a person are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes generating first and second 2-D images of the anatomical region utilizing an image acquisition system when an X-ray source of the image acquisition system is disposed at first and second positions, respectively, in a 3-D coordinate system of the image acquisition system. The method further includes selecting first and second points in the first and second 2-D images, respectively. The method further includes utilizing a triangulation technique utilizing the first and second points to determine a point of interest in a 3-D coordinate system of the 3-D model of the anatomical region.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a medical intervention procedure is disclosed. A first image acquisition system of a first modality employing a catheter at an anatomical region of a patient is configured to produce a first image of the anatomical region using fluoroscopy, the first image comprising a set of fluoroscopy projection images. A second image acquisition system of a second different modality is configured to generate a 3D model of the anatomical region. An anatomical reference system is common to both the first and second image acquisition systems. A processing circuit is configured to process executable instructions for registering the 3D model with the fluoroscopy image in response to the common reference system and discernible parameters associated with the catheter in both the first and second image acquisition systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging including reconstruction of an image of an object from a set of projections acquired for different positions of an acquisition apparatus around the object to be imaged and in which a projection source is situated at a finite distance relative to the acquisition apparatus. The method includes undertaking a set of rectifications of projections acquired for different positions of the acquisition apparatus, rectifications comprising transforming the data of the projection acquired projection into projection data on a virtual rectification support placed in a preset orientation in concordance with a set of reconstruction calculation points distributed over the image to be reconstructed.

Abstract: A process for cardiac movements to be used with a radiography apparatus (1) wherein acquiring of a series of successive images In of the region of the heart, an analysis of at least some of the images thus acquired to identify a heart movement; and a determination of the cardiac cycle starting from this movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining acquisition geometry of an imaging system from a set of calibration matrices for an arbitrary position of the system, a projection matrix makes a point in a 2D image correspond to a point of an object in a space. This matrix is produced for any unspecified position of the system from knowledge of a limited number of pre-computed calibration matrices. For instance, a projection matrix may be computed by interpolating coefficients of calibration matrices and/or applying a transformation with a rigid model defined comprehensively or locally to a particular calibration matrix.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of visualization of a part of a three-dimensional image. The part is defined by a finite predetermined volume, a sphere, for example, the center of which is located on an element of interest present in the three-dimensional image. In order to do so, a point is selected on the element of interest, a sphere is created in the three-dimensional image, the dimensions of which are predetermined and the center of which is the point on the element of interest, an intersection is made between the sphere and the three-dimensional image, and then the part of the three-dimensional image contained in the sphere is displayed.

Abstract: A process and system for improving a digital image of an object defined by pixels, acquired at the instant t and generated from an X-ray detector receiving X-rays emitted by a source. The process includes: determining a predicted image of the object at the instant t as a function of the images of the object acquired at the instants t-i, i being a positive whole number greater than or equal to 1, and moving of each of the layers constituting the image acquired at the instant t, the number of layers being previously fixed and the moving of each of the layers being previously determined; and generating a visualized image corresponding to a weighted sum of the predicted image and the image of the object acquired at the instant t, so as to attenuate the noise of the image of the object acquired at the instant t.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a set of functional parameters using a fluoroscopic radiography apparatus of the type comprising an X-ray source, a detector or recorder of the radiation facing the source, the source and the detector or recorder being installed on a mobile support capable of movement with respect to a table placed between the source and the detector or recorder on which a patient with a region of interest to be X-rayed will be placed. The method comprises a) movement of the support following a given movement with respect to the table, repeated during a given time; b) acquisition by the detector or recorder of a series of images of the region of interest during movement of the support with respect to the table; c) reconstitution of a series of three-dimensional models of the region of interest, starting from a series of acquired images; and d) determination of all functional parameters.

Abstract: The method comprises a phase of reconstruction of a static three-dimensional image of the object from a first set of digitized two-dimensional projected images of the object respectively obtained for different positions of a camera around the object, a phase of acquisition of at least a second set of n static two-dimensional projected images respectively obtained for a same first position of the camera and at n successive propagation times of the contrast medium, and a phase of reconstruction of the dynamic three-dimensional image of the object from each static two-dimensional image of the second set and the reconstructed static three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing an image of an organ or body part from at least two images of the organ or body part taken using radiography in two positions of the organ or body part separated by a rolling movement of the organ or body part. The rolling movement of the organ or body part is determined between two positions, extracting motion vectors for the surface of the organ or body part, interpolating motion vectors between the motion vectors extracted, and reconstructing an image of the organ or body part. The method and apparatus allows the three-dimensional structure of the tissue to be reconstructed while reducing ambiguities due to the presence of a lesion overlaying the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a magnification factor in a radiography device of the type comprising an X-ray source and means for acquiring images placed facing the source, the source and the means for acquiring images being mounted so as to rotate about at least one axis with respect to a support on which an object to be X-rayed is intended to be positioned. The method and the apparatus implementing the method comprises: acquiring at least two images corresponding to two different angular positions of the source and of the recording means with respect to the support; identifying on these images projections of at least one point of the X-rayed object; and determining the magnification factor of at least one of the images, first, as a function of the angular displacement of the source and of the recording means between the acquisitions of the images in question and, secondly, as a function of the positions on these images of the identified projections.

Abstract: In the field of medical imaging minimizing the number of acquisitions required to calibrate a radiological device. Calibration of the radiological imaging device is provided by moving the device with respect to a calibration object and performing a series of acquisitions, each acquisition being associated to a calibration position of the device. Based on the acquisitions performed, determining the projection parameters associated to each calibration position of the device. For an additional position that has not been taken by the device during the acquisition, determining the projection parameter values associated to this additional position according to the parameters associated to the calibration positions.

Abstract: A method of cardiac radiological examination for coronarography comprises the steps of: a) introducing contrast medium simultaneously in the left coronary artery and in the right coronary artery from the aortic root and, in parallel, b) acquiring a sequence of dynamic images of the propagation of the contrast medium in the left and right coronary arteries with a displacement of the image plane, during the acquisition of said images, along a determined trajectory (E28). The contrast medium can be introduced in a cyclic manner during the acquisition of dynamic images, each cycle of introduction corresponding to a phase of closure of the aortic valve in the cardiac rhythm. 3D and 4D images with optimal efficiency can be obtained in the use of contrast medium. An injection device for producing the above cycles is synchronized with the introduction of the contrast medium.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a medical intervention procedure is disclosed. A first image acquisition system of a first modality employing a catheter at an anatomical region of a patient is configured to produce a first image of the anatomical region using fluoroscopy, the first image comprising a set of fluoroscopy projection images. A second image acquisition system of a second different modality is configured to generate a 3D model of the anatomical region. An anatomical reference system is common to both the first and second image acquisition systems. A processing circuit is configured to process executable instructions for registering the 3D model with the fluoroscopy image in response to the common reference system and discernible parameters associated with the catheter in both the first and second image acquisition systems.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a medical intervention procedure is disclosed. A first image acquisition system is configured to produce a fluoroscopy image of an anatomical region. A second image acquisition system is configured to produce a 3D model of the anatomical region. An interventional tracking system, which includes a position indicator, is configured to maneuver within the anatomical region. A first anatomical reference system is common to both the first and the second image acquisition systems, and a second anatomical reference system is common to both the first image acquisition system and the interventional tracking system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring cardiac activity starting from a series of images of the heart made by X-rays. Attenuation of the X-rays is sampled on an area subject to repetitive thickenings of at least one wall of the heart, and a repetitive attenuation signal is interpreted as a signal representative of the heart activity.