Abstract: The invention provides for a method for switching between fields of view of an ultrasound probe. The method begins by obtaining an anatomical model representing a region of interest of a subject and establishing a first field of view relative to an ultrasonic probe, wherein the first field of view comprises an initial portion of the region of interest. Ultrasound data is then obtained from the first field of view by way of the ultrasonic probe and a first anatomical feature is identified within the first field of view based on the ultrasound data. A location in digital space of the first field of view relative to the anatomical model is determined based on the first anatomical feature. A second field of view is then established based on the anatomical model and the first field of view, wherein the first field of view functions as a reference field of view. The field of view is then switched from the first field of view to the second field of view.

Abstract: A system (100) for identifying deformations of a deployed stent, is provided. The system includes one or more processors (110) configured to: receive (SI 10) X-ray image data representing one or more X-ray images (120) of a deployed stent (130) within a lumen (140), the stent including a plurality of stent struts (150): analyse (S120) the X-ray image data to determine a distribution of the stent struts (150) along an axis (160) of the lumen (140); and identify (S130) one or more longitudinally-deformed portions (170, 180) of the stent based on a density of the determined distribution of the stent struts (150) along the axis (160) of the lumen (140).

Abstract: A method and system for correcting a difference in contrast agent density in a sequence of contrast-enhanced image frames. A reference image frame is defined in the sequence of contrast-enhanced image frames, and segmentation is performed on the reference image frame to determine a location of a region of interest within the reference image frame. The region of interest is a region of the reference image frame that contains contrast agent. Other image frames in the sequence of contrast-enhanced images are corrected based on a difference in contrast agent density/image intensity in the region of interest relative to the region of interest in the reference image frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peripheral perfusion measurement. In order to provide more detailed peripheral perfusion characteristics for better knowledge about a current situation, a device (10) for peripheral perfusion measurement is provided that comprises an image data input (12), a data processor (14) and an output interface (16). The image data input receives at least one perfusion angiographic 2D X-ray image of a region of interest of a subject's foot and a 3D foot-model comprising spatial perfusion-related parameters. The data processor registers the 3D foot-model with the foot in the at least one perfusion angiographic X-ray image. The registering comprises a pose-estimation of the foot in the 2D X-ray image. The information is mapped between the 2D image and the 3D foot-model based on the pose-estimation. Image processing modification instructions are identified based on the mapped information.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an ultrasound image of an anatomical region having a volume. First image low resolution image data is enhanced by adapting a 3D anatomical model to the image data to generate a second, greater, quantity of ultrasound image data in respect of the anatomical region. The enhanced volumetric information is then displayed. An anatomical model is thus used to complete partial image data thereby increasing the image resolution, so that a high resolution volumetric image can be displayed with a reduced image capture time.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an ultrasound image of an anatomical region having a volume. First image low resolution image data is enhanced by adapting a 3D anatomical model to the image data to generate a second, greater, quantity of ultrasound image data in respect of the anatomical region. The enhanced volumetric information is then displayed. An anatomical model is thus used to complete partial image data thereby increasing the image resolution, so that a high resolution volumetric image can be displayed with a reduced image capture time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining a confidence value for an image segmentation. The method includes obtaining an image, wherein the image comprises a view of an anatomical structure and a model of the anatomical structure is obtained, wherein the model comprises a plurality of nodes. The image is processed to generate a plurality of image segmentation outputs, wherein each image segmentation output comprises a set of values for the view, wherein each value of the set of values is associated with a node of the plurality of nodes of the model. For each node of the model, a confidence value is determined based on the plurality of values corresponding to the node. A confidence map of the anatomical structure is generated based on the confidence value of each node.

Abstract: A system (SY) for determining a relative importance of each of a plurality of image features (Fn) of a vascular medical image impacting an overall diagnostic metric computed for the image from an automatically-generated diagnostic rule. A medical kin image database (MIDB) includes a plurality of vascular medical images (M1 . . . k). A rule generating unit (RGU) analyzes the plurality of C vascular medical images and automatically generates at least one diagnostic rule corresponding to a common diagnosis of a subset of the plurality of vascular medical images based on a plurality of image features common to the subset of vascular medical images. An image providing unit (IPU) provides a current vascular medical image (CVMI) including the plurality of image features. A diagnostic metric computation unit (DMCU) computes an overall diagnostic metric for the current vascular medical image by applying the at least one automatically-generated diagnostic rule to the current vascular medical image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system for acquiring ultrasound images of an anatomical feature of interest in a subject, comprising a controller operable by a user and configured to: process input ultrasound images to extract anatomical data; determine a set of constraints to be applied to the ultrasound images, the constraints being spatial, temporal and/or of image quality, derived from the extracted anatomical data and/or on user input; monitor the ultrasound images, as they are received, for determining their compliance with the determined constraints; and output an indication based on the determined compliance. The user can adapt the imaging process using the feedback of these indications, and can decide to stop the process based on satisfactory indications.

Abstract: An imaging system (IS), comprising an image acquisition unit (AQ) for acquisition of image data (I1) of an object (OB). The image acquisition is based on an imaging signal imitable by the unit (AQ) to interact with the object. The image acquisition unit (AQ) is adjustable to operate at different acquisition parameters that determine a property of the imaging signal. A predictor component (PC) predicts, based at least on the acquired image data (I1), one or more properties of the object. An acquisition parameter adjuster (PA) adjusts, based on the predicted object properties, the acquisition parameter at which the image acquisition unit (AQ) is to acquire follow-up image data (I2).

Abstract: A mechanism for determining a score indicative of a success of a segmentation of a 3D image, i.e. a success score. The mechanism proposes to obtain one or more 2D images of different target views of a target object in the 3D image, by processing a segmentation result of the 3D image. (A view of) each 2D image is classified using an automated classifier. The classification results are used to determine a success score, which may indicate, for example, whether, or how closely, the 3D segmentation result represents a ground truth segmentation result with sufficient accuracy, e.g. for clinical decision making.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprises a display for displaying a received ultrasound image. A user interface is provided for receiving user commands for controlling the ultrasound imaging process, and it receives a user input which identifies a point or region of the displayed ultrasound image. An image depth is determined which is associated with the identified point or region and the imaging process is controlled to tailor the imaging to the identified point or region.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for refining a mapped surface mesh of a cardiac chamber. The method includes obtaining a mapped surface mesh of the cardiac chamber anatomy, wherein the mapped surface mesh comprises a central region representing a cardiac chamber and an outer region representing a peripheral cardiac structure connected to the cardiac chamber, and wherein the mapped surface mesh comprises a first view of an anatomical landmark within the cardiac chamber, and obtaining image data of a cardiac chamber anatomy of a subject. The central region of the mapped surface mesh is deformed based on a first segmentation algorithm configured according to one or more predetermined shape- constraints and the outer region of the mapped surface mesh is deformed based on a second segmentation algorithm configured according to the image data, thereby generating a deformed outer region. The deformed central region and the deformed outer region are then combined, thereby generating a refined mapped surface mesh.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a segmentation of medical images. For example, a medical image may be registering to multiple atlas images after which a segmentation function may be applied. Multiple segmentation may be fused into a final overall segmentation. The atlas images may be selected on the basis of high segmentation quality or low registration quality.

Abstract: A mechanism for creating/synthesizing realistic training data, for training a machine-learning model, using anatomical knowledge. An anatomical model can be obtained. Information from annotated training data entries (i.e. “ground truth” information), can be used to model the anatomical variation, from the obtained model, in the population of the training data. This anatomical model can then be modified, e.g. incorporating some random factors, in order to generate one or more augmented models of realistic anatomies. The augmented anatomy is then transferred from the model domain to the data entry domain to thereby generate a new data entry or data entries for training a machine-learning model. This latter process can be achieved in various ways, e.g. using GANs, such as CycleGANs and label images, or deformation vector fields.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus (10) is disclosed comprising a processor arrangement (16) adapted to map a model (1) of an anatomical feature of interest onto an ultrasound image showing at least a section of said anatomical feature of interest and to segment said ultrasound image in accordance with the mapped model; and a touchscreen display (18, 19) adapted to display said ultrasound image including the mapped anatomical model. The processor arrangement is responsive to the touchscreen display and adapted to recognize a type of a user touch motion (3) provided through the touchscreen display (18, 19), each type of user touch motion being associated with a particular type of alteration of said mapping and alter said mapping in accordance with the recognized type of user touch motion. Also disclosed are an ultrasound imaging system, a computer-implemented method and a computer program product.

Abstract: A stress prediction device for predicting mechanical stress exerted to a deformable object due contact between the object and an external device that is to be inserted into the object at an intended insertion position comprises a segmentation unit configured to access generic model data representing a generic reference object that comprises predefined secondary landmark features at predefined landmark positions, which are not identifiable using a predefined imaging technique, and pre-insertion object image data acquired using the imaging technique. It provides segmented object model data which comprises associated mapped landmark position data indicative of mapped landmark positions of the secondary landmark features. A stress determination unit determines and provides predictive stress information indicative of mechanical stress exerted to at least one of the secondary landmark features at the associated mapped landmark position due to mechanical contact between the object and the external device.

Abstract: Provided is a method (200) for generating a combined anatomical model of a heart. The method comprises receiving (220) a non-contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound image of a left ventricular region of the heart and receiving (240) a contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound image of the left ventricular region of the heart. Image registration (260) is performed on the respective non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images, such that the respective images are aligned. Combined segmentation (270) of the aligned non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images is then carried out to generate the combined anatomical model. The combined segmentation (270) uses features of both of the aligned non-contrast agent-enhanced and contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound images as target points. Further provided is a processor arrangement adapted to implement the method and an ultrasound system comprising the processor arrangement.

Abstract: Slice alignment approaches are described for short axis cardiac magnetic resonance cine slice stacks, which do not require additional scans, such as long axis scans or full 3D scans, and which are able to deal with cardiac structures having complex shapes. Both approaches do not need contours to follow a quadratic curvature function, and are well suitable for the purpose of obtaining a segmentation of a cardiac structure using a deformable surface model. Namely, such a deformable surface model is unable, but also not desired, to fully adapt to the ‘zig-zag’-shaped pattern in the boundary of the cardiac structure due to the slice misalignment. Having removed or reduced the misalignment between image slices, such a deformable surface model may better adapt to the cardiac structure in the image data and 10 thereby provide a better segmentation of the cardiac structure.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for switching between fields of view of an ultrasound probe. The method begins by obtaining an anatomical model representing a region of interest of a subject and establishing a first field of view relative to an ultrasonic probe, wherein the first field of view comprises an initial portion of the region of interest. Ultrasound data is then obtained from the first field of view by way of the ultrasonic probe and a first anatomical feature is identified within the first field of view based on the ultrasound data. A location in digital space of the first field of view relative to the anatomical model is determined based on the first anatomical feature. A second field of view is then established based on the anatomical model and the first field of view, wherein the first field of view functions as a reference field of view. The field of view is then switched from the first field of view to the second field of view.