Abstract: In the English translation document, please replace the abstract with the following: 2-D projection images show the temporal profile of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object, which contains a vascular system and its surroundings. Each projection image comprises pixels with pixel values. The pixel values of pixels corresponding to one another in the projection images are defined by at least essentially locationally identical areas of the examination object. A computer assigns a uniform 2-D evaluation core that is uniform for all corresponding pixels at least in a sub-area of pixels corresponding to one another in the projection images that is uniform for the projection images. The computer defines at least one characteristic value for each pixel within each projection image based on the evaluation core assigned to the pixel and assigns it to the relevant pixel.

Abstract: There is described an analysis method for at least one image data record of an examination object, wherein each image data record features a multiplicity of image data elements. A position in a multidimensional space is assigned to each image data element. Each image data element features an image data value. The image data values of positionally corresponding image data elements of the image data records are specified by means of at least essentially positionally identical regions of the examination object. A computer automatically divides the image data records into empty regions and signal regions, applying an overall assignment rule which is based on the image data values of the image data elements of a plurality of image data records, such that each image data element of each image data record is assigned to either its empty region or its signal region.

Abstract: A recording arrangement of an x-ray system comprises an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. Adjustment parameters can be manually supplied to the recording arrangement by an operator of the x-ray system, so that the x-ray source emits x-rays according to the manually given adjustment parameters and the x-ray detector accordingly acquires a sequence of images of an object. The manually supplied adjustment parameters can be automatically acquired by an acquisition device and stored in a remanent memory at least temporarily assigned to the acquisition device and remain stored after the completion of the acquisition of the sequence independently of a further operation of the x-ray system. The stored adjustment parameters can be retrieved from the remanent memory by the operator and supplied again to the recording arrangement so that a further sequence of images can be acquired according to the retrieved adjustment parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for an integrated imaging system with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) and optical coherence tomography (“OCT”). The system includes an MR scanner and OCT device configured to generate images. The system is further operative to assist a clinician in intravascular interventions, endoluminal interventions, biopsies and other guiding or therapy monitoring processes utilizing the imaging of MR and OCT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a 3D presentation of a hollow organ based on two-dimensional catheter images, comprising: detecting at least two fluoroscopy images at two different angles of the hollow organ; determining a start position of the catheter from the fluoroscopy images in a three-dimensional model of the hollow organ or a catheter guide; determining a probable withdrawal path of the catheter based on the three-dimensional model; withdrawing the catheter while recording the catheter images and assigning a withdrawal length to each catheter image; determining the deviation of the position of the catheter from a central path running through the middle of the hollow organ and the orientation of the catheter for each catheter image based on the withdrawal path and the withdrawal length; and reconstructing the 3D presentation from the two-dimensional catheter images as well as the deviation of the position of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical examination and/or treatment apparatus comprising an x-ray image recording device, a radiation source, a radiation receiver, a control and processing device and an image generating device, wherein at least one invasive sensor device with an imaging system can be connected to the medical examination and/or treatment apparatus via a multi-modality interface which is implemented as a universal interface via which different invasive sensor devices can be connected.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for optically-based acquisition of slice images from a vessel of a subject, and for combining the slice images to provide an intuitively recognizable visualization of a pathology in the vessel, slice images of the vessel are acquired during pullback of an optical probe of the optically-based slice imaging system, while simultaneously acquiring an ECG signal from the subject. The slice images and the ECG signal are registered, and slice images acquired at a selected cardiac phase are combined into a scene. The slice images in the scene are subjected to a first data transformation to shift the vessel midpoint in each slice image to the image center of each slice image. After the first data transformation, the slice images in the scene are subjected to a second data transformation to produce the visualization. The second transformation, for example, can be a curved planar reformation to allow the vessel to be shown in longitudinal section.

Abstract: In a computerized workflow method for stent planning and conducting a stenting procedure, characteristics of a lesion to be stented are determined from a 3D planning image of the region and selection of an actual stent for stenting the lesion is made with computer-assisted analysis of the lesion based on the characteristics. A virtual stent is electronically generated based on the actual stent, and, using the virtual stent, a best position for the actual stent, for effectively stenting the lesion, is determined. A real time 2D image of the lesion-containing region is displayed during the stenting procedure, with the virtual stent included therein at the aforementioned best position. A physician manually guides the actual stent relative to the lesion during the stenting procedure until the position of the actual stent, as seen in the displayed real time 2D image, coincides with the virtual stent in that image.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system permit a co-registration between points in a three-dimensional model of a vessel and vascular images obtained by an imaging catheter within the vessel at the respective points. The three-dimensional model is created by utilizing information from at least two external two-dimensional images produced by, e.g., one or more x-ray devices. The three-dimensional model is displayed on an analysis workstation, and a user may view the vascular images at particular points by selecting the appertaining points on the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system includes a catheter in which is arranged a plurality of light conducting fibers. It further includes a plurality of optical units. Light from the proximal end to the distal end and signals from the distal end to the proximal end can be transmitted simultaneously in different fibers. Time is saved through the simultaneous signal processing of signals from different fibers. That is advantageous particularly in the imaging, by means of coherence tomography, of blood vessels that have to be occluded for said imaging.

Abstract: A method is provided for a workflow for cardiovascular intervention that provides online monitoring and therapy control of the procedure. A series of steps are provided utilizing an imaging technology in combination with a therapeutic device to optimize the reliability of the treatment and minimize the negative effects on the patient. In generally, the method steps include: positioning the therapeutic device, performing the therapeutic procedure while imaging the therapeutic device, providing a low pressure inflation of the therapeutic device, imaging the results of the therapeutic procedure, and assessing the result of the therapeutic procedure. If the assessment reveals that the therapeutic procedure result is not optimal, the therapeutic procedure is performed again and the steps thereafter are performed again.

Abstract: Catheter device with an imaging device, in particular for optical coherence tomography, for insertion into a bifurcation region of a vessel of the human or animal body, comprising a main catheter with a balloon arranged thereupon and inflatable via a supply line, for the purpose of occluding the vessel proximal to the bifurcation, with a total of two further occlusion balloons for positioning in one of the two vascular branches in each case distal to the bifurcation being arranged on the main catheter and/or at least one auxiliary catheter, at a distance from the first balloon, such that they can be inflated for the distal occlusion of the respective vascular branch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring and evaluating vascular examination data, comprising: acquisition of IVUS images of a vessel to be examined using an IVUS catheter; simultaneous acquisition of angiography data of the IVUS catheter having at least one angiography marker; acquisition of OCT images of the same point of the vessel to be examined using an OCT catheter; simultaneous acquisition of angiography data of the OCT catheter having at least one angiography marker; registering the IVUS and OCT images; determination of contours of the structures of the vessel under examination based on the OCT images; arithmetic histological analysis of the co-registered IVUS and OCT images using the information about the contours; and display the results.

Abstract: 2-D projection images show the temporal course of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object containing a vascular system and the surroundings thereof. Each projection image has pixels with pixel values defined by the same areas of the examination object a computer determines a 2-D evaluation image having pixels corresponding to those of the projection images and assigns each pixel in a sub-area, to one of three types, perfused part of the surroundings or non-perfused part of the surroundings assigns, an extent of a perfusion in the pixels of the evaluation image assigned the type of perfused part of the surroundings to the respective pixel. The type and extend are determined from the temporal course of the pixel values of the pixels of the projection image which is in a two-dimensional evaluation core defined by a respective pixel of the evaluation image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging method with an OCT catheter for visualizing molecular functional processes in vulnerable plaques of a blood vessel of the blood vessel system of a patient, with OCT images of the contrast medium-marked vulnerable plaque being generated during continuously controlled movement of the light-emitting and light-absorbing OCT catheter head along the vulnerable plaque after the intravascular injection of a contrast medium into the blood vessel system and after the intravascular insertion of an imaging OCT catheter into the blood vessel comprising the vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for intraluminal imaging. The device features an imaging instrument and a transport unit, with which the imaging instrument is moved in a lumen at a defined speed over a defined distance. The device further features a rigid, i.e. mechanically-stable singly or multiply curved guide pipe, which has an internal diameter matched to the external diameter of the imaging instrument to accommodate and guide the imaging instrument and is made from a material which is transparent for the radiation or to the waves used in imaging. The guide pipe features at least one marking detectable with the imaging at a known position on the guide pipe and is mechanically connectable to the transport unit. The device and the method make it possible in a simple manner to record a 3D image data set from the intraluminal recorded 2D sectional images.

Abstract: A controller of an image-generating medical engineering assembly receives a selection of an image valuation method from a user. It subsequently automatically adjusts selection-specific, positioning-independent operating parameters of the recording arrangement and or provides the user with instructions for adjusting the positioning-independent operating parameters. In response to a user's start input the controller captures by means of a recording arrangement of the image-generating medical engineering assembly a sequence of successive two-dimensional images of an iteratively moving object being examined and capturing instants thereof as well as a phase signal of the object being examined and archives the sequence of images, capturing instants and the phase signal.

Abstract: Method for pre-interventional planning of a 2D fluoroscopy projection for an interventional entry using a fixed instrument, comprising the following steps: a) Recording a 3D data set, b) Planning the intervention, c) Planning the optimum projection direction, d) Registering the 3D data set with a navigation system and a 2D fluoroscopy system, e) Transmission of the intervention data to the navigation system, f) Computing the position of the fluoroscopy system, and g) Executing the interventional entry under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating an image using optical coherence tomography, with a control device controlling the operation of an image generation device and a rinsing device automatically according to a predetermined program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating and displaying examination images of a vessel of a patient, comprising the following steps: a) acquiring examination data of the vessel using a first imaging method such as computer tomography, magnetic resonance, or angiography, in particular 3D rotational angiography, b) creating a 3D data set on the basis of the acquired examination data of the first imaging method, c) acquiring examination data and the position of an ultrasound catheter inserted into the vessel, d) creating a 3D data set on the basis of the acquired ultrasound catheter examination and position data as a second imaging method, e) registering the 3D data sets of the first and second imaging method, and f) displaying the registered 3D data sets.