Abstract: An interventional system includes an introduction element (4) such as a catheter for being introduced into an object (9), for instance, a person. A moving unit (2) such as a robot moves the introduction element within the object. A tracking image generating unit (3) generates, using a radiation beam (7), tracking images of the introduction element within the object. A controller (8) controls the tracking image generating unit depending on movement parameters of the moving unit, which are indicative of the movement. The control operation of the controller (8) allows reducing radiation dose applied to the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing an electrical cardiac activity map by means of electrical signals acquired by a plurality of surface electrodes on an outer surface of a living being (6). A cardiac structure position determination unit (12) determines a position of a cardiac structure, in particular, of the epicardial surface, based on provided projection images, wherein an anatomical cardiac model is adapted to the projection images. The projection images may be provided by an x-ray C-arm system (2). An electrical activity map determination unit (13) determines the electrical activity map at the cardiac structure based on the electrical signals, the positions of the plurality of surface electrodes also determined from the projection images, and the determined position of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spatial dimension determination device for determining a spatial dimension of a target element like a vessel within an object (9), for instance, within a person. Movement parameters describing a movement of an introduction element (4) moved by a moving unit (2) like a robot and several images showing the introduction element are used for determining a dimensional relation between an image dimension and a real dimension. A further image showing the target element is provided, wherein a real dimension of the target element is determined based on an image dimension of the target element in the further image and based on the determined dimensional relation. An unknown real physical dimension of a target element within the object can therefore accurately be determined from an image of the target element by using, inter alia, the movement parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining electrical characteristics like electrical potentials on a surface of a heart (5). An esophageal electrode structure (6) measures electrical characteristics within an esophagus and a position determination unit (34) determines the position of the esophageal electrode structure within the esophagus and the position of the surface of the heart (5). The electrical characteristics on the surface of the heart (5) are then determined based on the measured electrical characteristics and based on the determined positions of the esophageal electrode structure (6) and the surface of the heart (5). Since for measuring the electrical characteristics the esophageal electrode structure (6) is used, the electrical characteristics can be measured within the esophagus and thus close to the surface of the heart (5), thereby allowing for an improved accuracy of determining the electrical characteristics on the surface of the heart (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional system comprising an introduction element (4) such as a catheter for being introduced into an object (9), for instance, a person. A moving unit (2) such as a robot moves the introduction element within the object, wherein a tracking image generating unit (3) generates, using a radiation beam (7), tracking images of the introduction element within the object and wherein a controller (8) controls the tracking image generating unit depending on movement parameters of the moving unit, which are indicative of the movement. The control operation of controller (7) allows reducing radiation dose applied to the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spatial dimension determination device for determining a spatial dimension of a target element like a vessel within an object (9), for instance, within a person. Movement parameters describing a movement of an introduction element (4) moved by a moving unit (2) like a robot and several images showing the introduction element are used for determining a dimensional relation between an image dimension and a real dimension. A further image showing the target element is provided, wherein a real dimension of the target element is determined based on an image dimension of the target element in the further image and based on the determined dimensional relation. An unknown real physical dimension of a target element within the object can therefore accurately be determined from an image of the target element by using, inter alia, the movement parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing an electrical cardiac activity map by means of electrical signals acquired by a plurality of surface electrodes on an outer surface of a living being (6). A cardiac structure position determination unit (12) determines a position of a cardiac structure, in particular, of the epicardial surface, based on provided projection images, wherein an anatomical cardiac model is adapted to the projection images. The projection images may be provided by an x-ray C-arm system (2). An electrical activity map determination unit (13) determines the electrical activity map at the cardiac structure based on the electrical signals, the positions of the plurality of surface electrodes also determined from the projection images, and the determined position of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: An interactive holographic display system includes a holographic generation module configured to display a holographically rendered anatomical image. A localization system is configured to define a monitored space on or around the holographically rendered anatomical image. One or more monitored objects have their position and orientation monitored by the localization system such that coincidence of spatial points between the monitored space and the one or more monitored objects triggers a response in the holographically rendered anatomical image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for providing an electrical activity map of the heart by means of electrical signals acquired by a plurality of surface electrodes (9). A surface electrodes positions determination unit (4, 6, 13) determines positions of the plurality of surface electrodes by means of optical shape sensing localization. The optical shape sensing element may comprise a wand (4), or alternatively an optical shape sensing fiber embedded in the vest comprising the surface electrodes. The position of a cardiac structure may be determined using ultrasound. An electrical activity map determination unit (16) determines the electrical activity map at the cardiac structure based on the measured electrical signals, the determined positions of the plurality of electrodes and the position of the cardiac structure, in particular, of the epicardial surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging system making use of low resolution, whole-body plan scan image of a body. The whole-body plan scan image is exploited to gather a plurality of individual information of a body that is essential for an optimization of acquisition parameter for acquisition of a high resolution and high quality image of a region of interest of the body. Moreover, the whole-body plan scan image is used in order to facility a determination and a selection of a region of interest to be performed by an operator. Additionally, the MRI provides effective means for autonomously identifying specific body parts or even organs of a patient. Providing the entire information that can be extracted from the whole-body plan scan image to the operator effectively simplifies the workflow of the operator in an intuitive way.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging system making use of low resolution, whole-body plan scan image of a body. The whole-body plan scan image is exploited to gather a plurality of individual information of a body that is essential for an optimization of acquisition parameter for acquisition of a high resolution and high quality image of a region of interest of the body. Moreover, the whole-body plan scan image is used in order to facility a determination and a selection of a region of interest to be performed by an operator. Additionally, the MRI provides effective means for autonomously identifying specific body parts or even organs of a patient. Providing the entire information that can be extracted from the whole-body plan scan image to the operator effectively simplifies the workflow of the operator in an intuitive way.

Abstract: The invention relates to magnetic resonance imaging and offers a way to provide even the non expert user with full control of a magnetic resonance imager. The invention achieves this by offering a user interface in is arranged to assign values to at least one attribute used to influence the visual presentation of an acquired magnetic resonance image and in which the values of the at least one attribute are arranged to be chosen from information indicating the effects of their assignment on the content of the visually presented acquired magnetic resonance image.

Abstract: A heating element for a liquid heating vessel, comprises a metal substrate, an insulating layer provided over the substrate, and an electrically conductive heating track provided over the insulating layer. The heating track comprises a path extending between two contact pads, the heating track defining regions of relatively high density of track portions and regions of relatively low density of track portions. The contact pads are located in regions of relatively low density, and the layout of the heating track is designed such that in the event of thermal overheating of the element, the heating track ruptures at one of a predetermined set of locations in high density regions of the heating track. The heating track itself thereby functions as a thermal fuse.

Abstract: An immersion heating element comprises first and second heat conducting substrates defining top and bottom surfaces of the heating element. An electrically insulating layer is provided on one side of each substrate, and the two substrates are mounted together with the insulating layers facing each other and with a resistive heating track sandwiched between the insulating layers. This structure avoids the need for a thick protective insulating layer over the heating track.

Abstract: A liquid heating vessel, such as a kettle, enables user selection of the temperature to which the liquid is to be heated. A thermal sensor is provided which is responsive to the temperature of the heating element. During the heating cycle, the operation of the heating element is interrupted, and temperature samples are obtained as the element cools. Analysis of the temperature decay function of the heating element during the interruption enables the liquid volume to be estimated, as well as the time required to heat the liquid to the selected temperature.

Abstract: A heating element 2 comprises a substantially planar substrate 4 having a heating track or tracks 8 and a thermal sensor 10, in the form of a track or discrete component, disposed on one side of the substrate 4. The thermal sensor 10 is separated from the heating track 8 by a locally thinner portion 12 of the substrate 4. The sensor 10 may be located in, or surrounded by, the thinner portion 12.