Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position of a part of a medical instrument with an x-ray sensitive sensor in a plane of an x-ray image using an x-ray facility having an x-ray beam source and a device, which is assigned to the beam source and influences the x-ray radiation emitted by the x-ray beam source, wherein a spatial region, in which the medical instrument is located, is scanned with x-ray radiation and at the same time x-ray radiation is detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor with the device for influencing the x-ray radiation rotating at constant speed, the rotation being synchronized to the receipt of signals based on x-ray radiation with the x-ray-sensitive sensor and with the position of the part of the medical instrument in the plane of an x-ray image being determined based on the x-ray radiation detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a guidewire in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. In order to track a guidewire in a fluoroscopic image sequence, guidewire segments are detected in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The guidewire in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence is then detected by rigidly tracking the guidewire from a previous frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence based on the detected guidewire segments in the current frame. The guidewire is then non-rigidly deformed in each frame based on the guidewire position in the previous frame.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and tracking an ablation catheter tip in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. Catheter tip candidates are detected in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence using marginal space learning. The detected catheter tip candidates are then tracked over all the frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence in order to determine an ablation catheter tip location in each frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant, a method and a device for determining the position of the implant. To improve the accuracy of determining the position it is proposed to provide a transponder on the implant suitable for determining the position.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking a guidewire in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. In order to track a guidewire in a fluoroscopic image sequence, guidewire segments are detected in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The guidewire in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence is then detected by rigidly tracking the guidewire from a previous frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence based on the detected guidewire segments in the current frame. The guidewire is then non-rigidly deformed in each frame based on the guidewire position in the previous frame.

Abstract: A method for displaying real-time imagery of coronary arteries including a chronic total occlusion (CTO) includes acquiring three-dimensional image data of coronary arteries using a three-dimensional medical imaging device, wherein the three-dimensional image data includes imagery of the CTO. A radiocontrast agent is administered to a patient. Real-time image data of the coronary arteries are acquired using one or more fluoroscopes. The real-time image data does not include imagery of the CTO and down-stream vessel structure. The three-dimensional image data is co-registered with the real-time image data using an image processing device within a vicinity of the CTO. The co-registered image data are displayed in real-time using a display device to accurately illustrate the location of the CTO within the context of the real-time image data.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and tracking an ablation catheter tip in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. Catheter tip candidates are detected in each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence using marginal space learning. The detected catheter tip candidates are then tracked over all the frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence in order to determine an ablation catheter tip location in each frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position of a part of a medical instrument with an x-ray sensitive sensor in a plane of an x-ray image using an x-ray facility having an x-ray beam source and a device, which is assigned to the beam source and influences the x-ray radiation emitted by the x-ray beam source, wherein a spatial region, in which the medical instrument is located, is scanned with x-ray radiation and at the same time x-ray radiation is detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor with the device for influencing the x-ray radiation rotating at constant speed, the rotation being synchronized to the receipt of signals based on x-ray radiation with the x-ray-sensitive sensor and with the position of the part of the medical instrument in the plane of an x-ray image being determined based on the x-ray radiation detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument able to be introduced into a body as well as an imaging position fixing system and position fixing method for the instrument. A magnet able to be rotated with a rotation drive is provided in an end section of the instrument. The position of the magnet in the body can be determined on the basis of the strength of a magnetic alternating field created by a rotation of the magnet.

Abstract: the invention relates to an implant, a method and a device for determining the position of the implant. To improve the accuracy of determining the position it is proposed to provide a transponder on the implant suitable for determining the position.

Abstract: The invention is based on a new type of method which can be used to localize magnetizable small particles. According to the invention an invasive instrument, a catheter for example, is provided with a magnetizable marker, whereby a magnetic fluid is arranged in a fluid container. Such an invasive instrument can be localized during an invasive intervention on a patient by using a coil system which on the one hand generates an inhomogeneous basic magnetic field and on the other hand generates a superimposed temporally varying magnetic field. Previous localization methods, which are considerably more complex, can be dispensed with.

Abstract: An x-ray apparatus has a flat panel x-ray detector, the operation of which is susceptible to interference by strong magnetic fields. In order to allow the x-ray system to be operated concurrently with a magnetic system, such as a magnetic tracking system or a magnetic localization system, that emits a magnetic field of sufficient field strength to interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector, a control unit is provided that operates both the flat panel x-ray detector and the magnetic system. The control unit synchronizes operation of the magnetic system with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector so that the magnetic system emits the magnetic field only at times that do not interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector.

Abstract: An x-ray apparatus has a flat panel x-ray detector, the operation of which is susceptible to interference by strong magnetic fields. In order to allow the x-ray system to be operated concurrently with a magnetic system, such as a magnetic tracking system or a magnetic localization system, that emits a magnetic field of sufficient field strength to interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector, a control unit is provided that operates both the flat panel x-ray detector and the magnetic system. The control unit synchronizes operation of the magnetic system with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector so that the magnetic system emits the magnetic field only at times that do not interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector.