Abstract: Image processing system for generating a multidimensional adaptive oriented filter to process image data in a number d of dimensions, comprising product means for producing weighted scalar coefficients [W1(r), . . . Wi(r), . . . Wd(r)] of a number d of vectors of an oriented basis of vectors by a number n of local vectors related to each point; combining means (?) for producing a set of one-scalar weight coefficients [W(r)] from the combination of the weighted scalar products; and filtering means (g) for producing filtered image data [g(x)] from the combination of the image data [I(x)] with the one-scalar weight coefficients [W(r)]. The system further comprises a direction estimator (10) for providing, at each image point, an oriented orthogonal basis of a number d of vectors (e1, . . . ei, . . . ed); a site generator (20) for providing n site vectors of a local vector support; and product means for computing d scalar products of vectors of the orthogonal basis by each of the n site vectors.

Abstract: An image processing system having means of automatic adaptation of 3-D surface Model to image features, for Model-based image segmentation, comprising: dynamic adaptation means for adapting the Model resolution to image features including locally setting higher resolution when reliable image features are found and setting lower resolution in the opposite case. This system comprises estimation means for estimating a feature confidence parameter for each image feature. The model resolution is locally adapted according to said parameter. The feature confidence parameter depends on the feature distance and on the estimation of quality of this feature including estimation of noise. The large distances and the noisy, although close features are penalized. The resolution of the Model is decreased in absence of confidence and is gradually increased with the rise of feature confidence.

Abstract: An image processing system, for correlating shapes in multi-dimensional images (m-D), comprising image data processing means for estimating a similarity measure including computing means for: estimating two image signals (f(x), g(y)) representing shapes defined in respective windows (W1, W2) in two multi-dimensional images; using a Hermite Transform (HT) applied to both said image signals for performing an evaluation of two first sets of scalar valued Hermite coefficients (fI, gI, FI, GI), from which a combination yields a transformed set of scalar valued Hermite coefficients {KI}; applying the inverse Hermite Transform (HT-1) to the transformed set of scalar valued Hermite coefficients {KI} to achieve the computation of a windowed correlation function (K(v)); and estimating the maximum of said windowed correlation function as the wanted similarity measure to correlate the shapes; and means for displaying the correlated shapes and/or processed images.

Abstract: A medical examination apparatus including an imaging means (2,3), a viewing system (4), wherein image data processing means (5) is arranged to facilitate production of different images of a feature of interest such that the pose of the feature is comparable in the different images. The image data processing means (5) estimates the pose of the anatomical feature in a first image generated by the imaging means, produces imaging means control data indicative of the desired imaging geometry for controlling one or more parameters of the imaging means (2,3) for producing a further image having the feature of interest in the estimated pose, and outputs the produced imaging means control data. The output control data may be output in a viewable form and/or output directly to the imaging means (2,3) so as automatically to control the parameters thereof. The output control data can also control the imaging means so as to produce an image having desired intensity characteristics.

Abstract: A medical viewing system comprising data acquisition means for acquiring image data in an image of an object surface and processing means for integrating clinical data with the image data, comprising processing means for processing the image data, whereby to identify a reference surface approximating the object surface and reference points on said reference surface; constructing a map, called distance map, comprising one or several distance transformed surface(s), from the reference surface, formed of image points that correspond univocally to reference points of the reference surface; estimating, at the location of the image points of the map, clinical data, and combining the clinical data and the image data at the location of the reference points, so that to integrate the clinical data in the image data; said medical viewing system further comprising image visualisation means for visualising the object images and/or the processed images.

Abstract: A medical viewing system having means, for analysing and visualising medical image data corresponding to folded surfaces, comprises means of segmentation of the image data to identify the object surface, means for approximating the object surface by a reference surface, and means for detecting folded portions of the object surface including means for determining points of the reference surface at which a normal to a zone forming a patch on the reference surface intersects with the object surface. If there are more than one point of intersection, then that patch corresponds to a folded portion of the object surface. Fold-portion patches are assigned a code such that, on display or printing of an image (RP) corresponding to the reference surface, the fold-portions will be flagged (for example by coloured or patterned regions (HP).

Abstract: A medical viewing system including an imaging means (2,3) and image data processing means (5) is arranged to facilitate production of different images of a feature of interest such that the pose of the feature of interest is comparable in the different images. The image data processing means (5) estimates the pose of the feature of interest in a second image relative to the pose thereof in a first image, typically generated at a different time, and applies an affine transformation, for example to the second image, so as to produce a transformed second image in which the feature of interest has substantially the same pose as in the first image. The image data may also be processed so as to normalize the intensity characteristics of the images to be compared. Gross differences in pose can be eliminated by processing the image data so as to generate control data indicating how to set up the imaging apparatus to produce an image having the feature of interest oriented substantially in a desired pose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method of extracting geometrical data of the spine, for extracting the left and right pedicle landmarks of each spine vertebra, comprising steps of: acquiring image data of a 2-D frontal image of the spine; associating spine States to vertebra positions along the spine and estimating locations of left and right pedicle landmark Candidates in each State; defining a State Cost for forming Couples of left and right pedicle landmark Candidates (PL and PR); estimating sets of Best Couple Candidates, in each State, from the lowest State Costs; defining a Path Cost to go from one State to the next State; selecting a pedicle landmark Couple in each spine State (V) among the Best Couple Candidates from the minimum Path Costs, and localizing the left and right pedicle landmarks of each spine vertebra from said selected pedicle landmark Couple. The invention also relates to a system, a medical apparatus and a program product for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An image processing method for processing the images of an image sequence (S) comprising steps of determining image data related to first points of an Object of Interest observed in a first image, said Object of Interest having possible movements, and image data related to correlated points found in a second image of the sequence, and based on said image data, of estimating parameters of sets of transformation functions (400), which transformation functions transform said first points into said correlated points and, from said parameters, of determining one Warping Law (500) that automatically transforms said given Object of Interest of the first image into the same object in the second image of the sequence for following and locating (600) said Object of Interest in said second image of the sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for displaying a processed image of a three dimensional (3-D) object using a two-dimensional display means and for interacting with the surface of the displayed 3-D object comprising the construction and display of at least two coupled views of the surface of the 3-D object, including a global 3-D view and a connected local 2-D view of the surface of said object on which local interactions are made. This method further comprises interactive navigation on the object surface in one of the two views and processing data in said view with automatic updating of corresponding data in the other coupled view.

Abstract: A method of deriving geometrical data of a structure from an image of the structure comprises the selection of marker points in the image. A typical contour is associated with the marker points and the geometrical data is calculated from the typical contour. According to the invention, correctness values are associated with the marker points. The correctness values indicate the reliability of the correspondence of the marker points to typical (anatomical) features in the structure. Furthermore, a cost function is associated with a typical contour, which cost function is dependent on the correctness values of the marker points. The typical contour is arranged in such a manner that the cost function reaches an optimum value, such as a local maximum or minimum value. The method is particularly suitable for deriving geometrical data, such as angles and distances concerning the spinal column of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method with steps of acquiring (1) a sequence of translation overlapping images (11) representing an elongated scene; determining regions (ROI) in image pairs (Pk) and region sections (Bj) having dimensions suitable for matching (2); estimating region and section displacement fields (24, 25); regularizing (3) said region and section displacement fields (34, 35); interpolating pixel values of sections that have dimensions suitable for merging calculated from the regularized section displacement field, so as to evaluate the pixel values of corresponding regions and further scaling the sections in said regions to dimensions calculated from the regularized region displacement field, and reconstructing (4) an overview image (41) of the elongated scene (112) with said regions. The invention also relates to a system for implementing said method and a medical examination apparatus having said image processing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for processing an image representing a tubular structure having walls, comprising steps for determining a flight path (EP) inside this tubular structure between a first and a second predetermined end points, said flight path being both the shortest path between said end points and the farthest from the structure walls (NB1). Said steps may comprise locating the structure wall points, determining a surface at a predetermined constant distance from said wall points, inside the structure, for forming a central region (CR), and determining, in said central region, the shortest path (EP) between the first and second end points.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for the segmentation of a three dimensional object in a three dimensional image including an operation of mapping a three dimensional mesh model onto said three dimensional object comprising steps of acquiring a tri-dimensional image of an object of interest to be segmented; generating a Mesh Model, formed of cells that can be decomposed into triangles; deforming the Mesh Model in order to map said Mesh Model onto said object of interest; estimating the gradient flow value or a gradient derived measure level of the gradient vector field that passes through the cell surface area of a predetermined number of cells of the Mesh Model; and assessing the goodness of fitness of the Mesh Model according to the proportion of cells for which the gradient flow value or gradient derived measure level reaches at least a predetermined level called fitness threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for preserving the edges of objects reproduced in an intensity image and for reducing the noise, including the steps of acquisition of the intensity image in the form of a multidimensional matrix of points (2-D, 3-D), determination of the intensity gradient at each point, defined by its direction ((&thgr;p) and its modulus (∥{right arrow over (G)}p∥), and the passage at each point of a recursive spatial filter having an anisotropic kernel and providing a degree of smoothing which is greater in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the gradient than in the direction of the intensity gradient. The kernel is spherical on the scanning lines which are not normal to the intensity gradient and it is shaped as a flattened sphere whose major dimension extends in the direction of lines normal to the intensity gradient in a scanned point. The invention also relates to a medical X-ray imagine apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A method for extracting geometrical data from a 2-D digital image of the spine, comprising steps for determining spine outlines, endplates and corners wherein:

Abstract: An image processing method which includes the acquisition (10) of an intensity image (J) formed by a matrix of points (A) having non-binary intensity values and representing filiform objects, and also includes steps for the detection of filiform objects, which steps include: automatic determination (20) of an intensity vector field ({right arrow over (V)}), forming a state image constituted by characteristics concerning magnitudes and angles [∥{right arrow over (V)}∥,&thgr;] of intensity vectors a the various points (A) of the intensity image, an operation (30) for chaining the points of an individual filiform object by means of automatic filtering [Q(i)] of the state image, thus performing a selection of a dense and continuous field of intensity vectors corresponding to points of the filiform object.

Abstract: An image processing method which includes the acquisition (10) of an intensity image (J) formed by a matrix of points (A) having non-binary intensity values and representing filiform objects, and also includes steps for the detection of filiform objects, which steps include:

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method of extracting geometrical data of the spine, for extracting the left and right pedicle landmarks of each spine vertebra, comprising steps of:

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for processing an intensity image (J0) formed of points representing an object (LV), including steps for automatically supplying points so as to determine a minimum path representing the object contour (CT), involving: acquiring data of the intensity image, evaluating probability values (P) indicating the probability that a given point of the image belongs to predefined regions of the image relating to the object, and deriving a contour model (SP) of the object from said probability values (P), transforming the image (J0) into a three-dimensional matrix image (IM) based on said contour model (SP) and said probability values (P), performing dynamic programming (DP) in order to determine said minimum path (CT) in said three-dimensional matrix image (IM).