Abstract: The invention relates to a system for adapting a plurality of model meshes to a plurality of image data. The system has a registration unit for registering the plurality of model meshes with the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of a registration transformation for transforming the plurality of model meshes, and an adaptation unit for adapting the plurality of registered model meshes to the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of locations of mesh vertices of the plurality of model meshes. The described system is capable of reducing motion artifacts in tomographic images computed from data acquired at a plurality of different cardiac cycle phases.

Abstract: A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input (12) and a processing unit (15). The input being provided for receiving multiple CT images (71) of a lung, each CT image (71) corresponding to one phase of at least two different phases in a respiratory cycle. The processing unit (15) being configured to compare CT images (71) corresponding to different phases in the respiratory cycle for determining a deformation vector field for each phase, to generate for each phase a ventilation image (72) based on the corresponding deformation vector field, to spatially align the ventilation images (72), and to generate for at least one common position (62) in each one of the aligned ventilation images (72), a function (81) of a time course of a ventilation value for said common position (62), each ventilation value in the function (81) being based on the deformation vector fields corresponding to the aligned ventilation images (73).

Abstract: A system (20) an image acquisition device, an image workstation, computer-readable medium and method for visualizing an anatomical tree structure is disclosed. The anatomical tree structure is segmented from a three-dimensional image set of at least a portion of a body. A planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then determined. The planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then displayed. Since the displayed anatomical tree structure has no occlusions or intersections of segments, the anatomical tree is much easier to read which facilitates subsequent automated or manual diagnosis of the tree for anomalies.

Abstract: A potential region of interest segmentation device segments an image data into regions of potential interest. From the regions of potential interest, an identifying device identifies a region of interest including an object of interest based on a set of rules. A recognizing device differentiates among the identified objects of interest and selects at least one particular object of interest.

Abstract: An automated method (1) for the automatic extraction of a pulmonary vessel tree from a 3D medical image, such as multi-slice CT data, is disclosed. A segmented pulmonary vessel is identified as either an artery or a vein by determining a measure for arterialness for the vessel. The measure is based on a relation of the orientation of a local bronchus to the orientation of the segmented pulmonary vessel of the local bronchus. When a vessel is identified as a pulmonary artery, it is added to the pulmonary artery tree. Radii of the pulmonary artery and bronchus are measured automatically and positions where a ratio of these radii exhibits unusual values are presented in a display, preferably for suggesting further assessment by a radiologist, which for instance is useful for pulmonary embolism detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for segmenting an object comprising sub-objects shown in an object image. The apparatus comprises a feature image generation unit (2) for generating a feature image showing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects and a segmentation unit (3) for segmenting the sub-objects by using the object image and the feature image. Preferentially, the feature image generation unit (2) is adapted for generating a feature image from the object image. In a further embodiment, the feature image generation unit (2) comprises a feature enhancing unit for enhancing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects in the object image.

Abstract: When estimating a position or orientation of a patient's heart, a mesh model of a nominal heart is overlaid on a SPECT or PET image of the patient's heart and manipulated to conform to the image of the patient's heart. A mesh adaptation protocol applies opposing forces to the mesh model to constrain the mesh model from changing shape and to pull the mesh model to the shape of the patient's heart. A heart orientation estimator (60) iterates the mesh adaptation protocol a predetermined number of times, after which it defines a long axis of the left ventricle of the patient's heart as a line passing through the center of the mitral valve and the center of mass of the left ventricle. The long axis is then employed by a reorientation processor (70) to reorient the SPECT or PET image of the patient's heart, over which the mesh model was originally laid, to improve the accuracy of the PECT or PET image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rendering system (100) for rendering a view from an image dataset, the rendering system comprising a selecting unit (110) for selecting a subset of the image dataset, a computing unit (120) for computing a first principal axis of a tensor on the basis of the subset of the image dataset, and a rendering unit (130) for rendering the view on the basis of the first principal axis. Using the information about the directionality and orientation of a structure, comprised in the selected subset of the image dataset and extracted from the first principal axis of the tensor, the rendering system (100) is arranged to effectively assist the user in selecting an advantageous view from the image dataset.

Abstract: An automated method (1) for the automatic extraction of a pulmonary vessel tree from a 3D medical image, such as multi-slice CT data, is disclosed. A segmented pulmonary vessel is identified as either an artery or a vein by determining a measure for arterialness for the vessel. The measure is based on a relation of the orientation of a local bronchus to the orientation of the segmented pulmonary vessel of the local bronchus. When a vessel is identified as a pulmonary artery, it is added to the pulmonary artery tree. Radii of the pulmonary artery and bronchus are measured automatically and positions where a ratio of these radii exhibits unusual values are presented in a display, preferably for suggesting further assessment by a radiologist, which for instance is useful for pulmonary embolism detection.

Abstract: A patient data record is described comprising a mean model representative of the patient and further comprises at least one shape model to represent data concerning the patient, in which the said mean model comprises at least one region and the said shape model comprises at least one sub-section, and in which the at least one sub-section of the shape model is linked to the equivalent region of the mean model. This has the advantage of allowing greater structure to the patient record. Further a system is described to present patient data upon queries generated by a user and arranged to access the claimed patient data record, and which is further arranged to provide access to information in the sub-section of the shape model when a query generated by the user accesses the equivalent region of the mean model. This system allows full use of the improved patient data record.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for adapting a plurality of model meshes to a plurality of image data, the system comprising a registration unit (110) for registering the plurality of model meshes with the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of a registration transformation for transforming the plurality of model meshes, and an adaptation unit (120) for adapting the plurality of registered model meshes to the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of locations of mesh vertices of the plurality of model meshes.

Abstract: Volume measurement of for example a tumor in a 3D image dataset is an important and often performed task. The problem is to segment the tumor out of this volume in order to measure its dimensions. This problem is complicated by the fact that the tumors are often connected to vessels and other organs. According to the present invention, an automated method and corresponding device and computer software are provided, which analyze a volume of interest around a singled out tumor, and which, by virtue of a 3D distance transform and a region drawing scheme advantageously allow to automatically segment a tumor out of a given volume.

Abstract: A method provided for the formation of a selective rendering of body structures of an object to be examined from a primary image data set. The method provides a simple and fast selection or deselection of given body structures. The method comprises the following steps: forming at least one pixel group (BG1-BG16) which comprises pixels from the primary data set which are in conformity with predetermined filter criteria, forming at least one pixel list by selection and/or deselection of at least one pixel group in conformity with predetermined criteria, marking the pixels of the pixel groups of the at least one pixel list, forming a filtered secondary image data set which includes the marked pixels, and forming the rendering from the secondary image data set, the marked pixels being separately rendered in highlighted or suppressed form.

Abstract: A system (20) an image aquisition device, an image workstation, computer-readable medium and method for visualizing an anatomical tree structure is disclosed. The anatomical tree structure is segmented from a three-dimensional image set of at least a portion of a body. A planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then determined. The planar angular visualization of the anatomical tree structure is then displayed. Since the displayed anatomical tree structure has no occlusions or intersections of segments, the anatomical tree is much easier to read which facilitates subsequent automated or manual diagnosis of the tree for anomalies.

Abstract: An imaging method for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, comprising the recording of slice images of the lung by means of X-ray radiation, recording of blood vessels, differentiation of blood vessels and abnormal tissue, segmentation of the abnormal tissue and display of the segmented abnormal tissue on an output device. In addition, a computer tomograph for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, having a radiation source for recording slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, a computer unit for differentiating the blood vessels from the abnormal tissue and for segmenting the abnormal tissue, as well as an output device for displaying the segmented abnormal tissue.

Abstract: For differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, a certain fraction of malignant nodules do not exhibit significant enhancement when averaged over the whole nodule volume. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, not only a single averaged contrast enhancement number is determined, but an enhancement curve for each nodule, showing the enhancement as a function of distance to boundary of the nodule. This may provide for an improved differential diagnosis.

Abstract: Ground glass opacities in the lung are non-solid nebular-like shadows in the parenchyma tissue of the lung, which may be precursors of a lung cancer. According to the present invention, ground glass opacities may automatically be determined on the basis of a texture analysis of the parenchyma. Advantageously, according to the present invention, a robust and reliable determination of ground glass opacities may be provided, even if vessels, lung walls, airspace or bronchi walls are present within the local neighborhood of the ground glass opacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming an isolated visualization of body structures from a 3D image data set, which method includes the steps of forming a binary data set in which all image elements contained in the 3D image data set are classified as image elements which are to be visualized in isolated form and image elements which are not to be visualized, where filtering of the image values is performed by means of limit values of the image values and all image elements of the binary data set of image structures contained in the 3D image data set which are smaller than a predetermined size are selected, of forming a filtered data set by entering the image values of the original 3D image data set for the image elements which are characterized as image elements to be visualized in isolated form in the binary data set, and of forming the visualization of the isolated body structure from the filtered data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatically segmenting and displaying the tracheobronchial tree (400) and displaying clinical values (404) related to the segmented tracheobronchial tree (400).

Abstract: A potential region of interest segmentation device segments an image data into regions of potential interest. From the regions of potential interest, an identifying device identifies a region of interest including an object of interest based on a set of rules. A recognizing device differentiates among the identified objects of interest and selects at least one particular object of interest.

Abstract: A linear driving apparatus using two units of linear motors each having rotors being coupled to each other which are suitable to provide high accuracy for the positioning control and the speed control. The first and second linear motors, which, are coupled in shape by the coupling member are not controlled independently and the impellent force, to the first and second linear motors are equal. Thereby, construction of the apparatus is considerably simplified, and the positional contol and the speed control is highly accurate.