Abstract: A system and method for segmenting an image of an organ. The system and method including selecting a surface model of the organ, selecting a plurality of points on a surface of an image of the organ and transforming the surface model to the plurality of points on the image.

Abstract: A method for selecting vertices for performing deformable registration of imaged objects is provided. The selected vertices form corresponding pairs, each pair including a vertex from a first imaged object and a vertex from a second imaged object. The corresponding vertex pairs are sorted in order of distance between the vertices making up the corresponding vertex pair. The corresponding vertex pair with the greatest distance is given top priority. Corresponding vertex pairs that lie within a selected distance from the selected corresponding vertex pair are discarded. In this manner, the number of vertex pairs used for deformable registration of the imaged objects is reduced and therefore allows for processing times that are clinically acceptable.

Abstract: In a diagnostic imaging system (10), a user interface (82) facilitates viewing of 4D kinematic data sets. A set of reference points is selected in a first 3D image to designate an anatomical component. An algorithm (104) calculates a propagation of the selected reference points from the first 3D image into other 3D images. Transforms which describe the propagation of the reference points between 3D images are defined. An aligning algorithm (112) applies inverse of the transforms to the 3D images to define a series of frames for the video processor (120) to display, in which frames the designated anatomical component defined by the reference points in each of the 3D images remains fixed while the other portions of the anatomical region of interest move relative to the fixed designated anatomical component.

Abstract: A therapy treatment response simulator includes a modeler (202) that generates a model of a structure of an object or subject based on information about the object or subject and a predictor (204) that generates a prediction indicative of how the structure is likely to respond to treatment based on the model and a therapy treatment plan. In another aspect, a system includes performing a patient state determining in silico simulation for a patient using a candidate set of parameters corresponding to another patient and producing a first signal indicative of a predicted state of the patient, and generating a second signal indicative of whether the candidate set of parameters are suitable for the patient based on a known state of the patient.

Abstract: When modeling anatomical structures in a patient for diagnosis or therapeutic planning, an atlas (26) of segmented co-registered CT and MRI anatomical structure reference images can be accessed, and an image of one or more such structures can be selected and overlaid with an MRI image of corresponding structure(s) in a clinical image of a patient. A user can click and drag landmarks or segment edges on the reference MRI image to deform the reference MRI image to align with the patient MRI image. Registration of a landmark in the patient MRI image to the reference MRI image also registers the patient MRI image landmark with a corresponding landmark in the co-registered reference CT image, and electron density information from the reference CT image landmark is automatically attributed to the corresponding registered patient MRI landmark.

Abstract: When adapting models of anatomical structures in a patient for diagnosis or therapeutic planning, an atlas (26) of predesigned anatomical structure models or image volumes can be accessed, and a segmentation of one or more such structures can be selected and overlaid on an a 3D image of corresponding structure(s) in a clinical image (52) of a patient. A user can click on an initially unapproved segmentation 5 landmark (72) on the patient image (52), reposition the unapproved landmark, and approve the repositioned landmark. Remaining unapproved landmarks (72) are then repositioned as a function of the position of the approved landmark (92) using one or more interpolation techniques to adapt the model to the patient image on the fly.

Abstract: When modeling anatomical structures in a patient for diagnosis or therapeutic planning, an atlas (26) of predesigned anatomical structure models can be accessed, and model of one or more such structures can be selected and overlaid on an a 3D image of corresponding structure(s) in a clinic image of a patient. A user can click and drag a cursor on the model to deform the model to align with the clinical image. Additionally, a processor (16) can generate a volumetric deformation function using splines, parametric techniques, or the like, and can deform the model to fit the image in real time, in response to user manipulation of the model.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for registering an atlas image from an atlas of multidimensional images with an objective image, the system comprising a generation unit (105) for generating a candidate transformation for transforming a first region of the atlas image, a transformation unit (110) for transforming the first region of the atlas image using the candidate transformation, a similarity unit (120) for computing a measure of similarity of the transformed first region of the atlas image and a corresponding first region of the objective image, an evaluation unit (130) for evaluating the candidate transformation using a criterion based on the computed measure of similarity and determining an optimal transformation based on the evaluation of the candidate transformation, an extension unit (140) for extending the optimal transformation of the first region of the atlas image to a second region of the atlas image, wherein the second region comprises the first region, thereby creating a registration t

Abstract: A scanner (18) acquires images of a subject. A 3D model (52) of an organ is selected from an organ model database (50) and dropped over an image of an actual organ. A best fitting means (62) globally scales, translates and/or rotates the model (52) to best fit the actual organ represented by the image. A user uses a mouse (38) to use a set of manual tools (68) to segment and manipulate the model (52)1:o match the image data. The set of tools (68) includes: a Gaussian tool (72) for deforming a surface portion of the model along a Gaussian curve, a spherical push tool (80) for deforming the surface portion along a spherical surface segment, and a pencil tool (90) for manually drawing a line to which the surface portion is redefined.

Abstract: A current diagnostic image (A) and an archived diagnostic image (B) of a common region of a patient are loaded into a first memory and a second memory. The first and second diagnostic images (A, B) are automatically aligned and registered with one another. Three 2D orthogonal views through a selected crossing point in the current image (A) are concurrently displayed along with the same three orthogonal views through the corresponding crossing point in the archived image (B) on a display. A user manually corrects alignment in the first and second sets of slices that are currently displayed on the display using local tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for planning a radiation therapy are disclosed. A radiation dose distribution is adapted on the basis of shape and position variations of the organs of interest determined from a comparison of a first image and a second image which were taken at different points of time during the radiation treatment process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a method for providing visualisation parameters controlling the display of a medical image (12). The data processing apparatus comprises a mapping component (16). The mapping component (16) is arranged to receive a current dataset (15) corresponding to the medical image and comprising a content description thereof, to compare the content description of the current dataset (15) with a content description of a plurality of stored datasets, to select at least one further dataset out of the plurality of stored datasets, to retrieve stored visualisation parameters corresponding to the at least one further dataset, and to prepare the retrieved visualisation parameters as the visualisation parameters controlling the display of the medical image (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for data processing. At stage 3 the position of the reference object in the reference image and its relation to a set of reference landmarks in the reference image is established at step 6. In order to enable this, the reference imaging of learning examples may be performed at step 2 and each reference image may be analyzed at step 4, the results may be stored in a suitably arranged database. In order to process the image under consideration, the image is accessed at step 11, the suitable landmark corresponding to the reference landmark in the reference image is identified at step 13 and the spatial relationship established at step 6 is applied to the landmark thereby providing the initial position of the object in the actual image. In case when for the object an imaging volume is selected, the method 1 according to the invention follows to step 7, whereby the scanning 17 is performed within the boundaries given by the thus established scanning volume.

Abstract: A reconstruction processor (34) reconstructs acquired projection data (S) into an uncorrected reconstructed image (T). A classifying algorithm (66) classifies pixels of the uncorrected reconstructed image (T) at least into metal, bone, tissue, and air pixel classes. A clustering algorithm (60) iteratively assigns pixels to best fit classes. A pixel replacement algorithm (70) replaces metal class pixels of the uncorrected reconstructed image (T) with pixel values of the bone density class to generate a metal free image. A morphological algorithm (80) applies prior knowledge of the subject's anatomy to the metal free image to correct the shapes of the class regions to generate a model tomogram image. A forward projector (88) forward projects the model tomogram image to generate model projection data (Smodel). A corrupted rays identifying algorithm (100) identifies the rays in the original projection data (S) which lie through the regions containing metal objects.

Abstract: A method for selecting vertices for performing deformable registration of imaged objects is provided. The selected vertices form corresponding pairs, each pair including a vertex from a first imaged object and a vertex from a second imaged object. The corresponding vertex pairs are sorted in order of distance between the vertices making up the corresponding vertex pair. The corresponding vertex pair with the greatest distance is given top priority. Corresponding vertex pairs that lie within a selected distance from the selected corresponding vertex pair are discarded. In this manner, the number of vertex pairs used for deformable registration of the imaged objects is reduced and therefore allows for processing times that are clinically acceptable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus accounting for tumor motion during radiation therapy is provided. The method allows for radiation therapy treatments based on updated radiation therapy plans. For each fractionate radiation treatment that results in an updated radiation treatment, radiation treatment images are acquired, automatically segmented, and then subject to deformable registration to develop updated contours and an updated radiation therapy plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program for transferring scan geometry between a first region and a second region, similar to the first region. In the method according to the invention the first region and the second region are being identified (4), preferably in the overview image, followed by determination (6) of the first scan geometry corresponding to the first region. Then, the first scan geometry is being transferred into the second scan geometry corresponding to the second region, whereby information on geometrical correspondence between the first region and the second region is used. Preferably, the step of transferring comprises establishing corresponding mappings between similar regions and their respective scan geometries.

Abstract: A system and method for developing radiation therapy plans and a system and method for developing a radiation therapy plan to be used in a radiation therapy treatment is disclosed. A radiation therapy plan is developed using a registration of medical images. The registration is based on identifying landmarks located within inner body structures.

Abstract: A delineation of a structure of interest can be performed by fitting 3D deformable models, for example, represented by polygonal measures, to the boundaries of the structure of interest. The deformable model fitting process is guided by minimization of the sum of an external energy, based on image feature information, which attracts the mesh to the organ boundaries and an internal energy, which preserves the consistent shape of the mesh. A frequent problem is that the images do not contain sufficient reliable image feature information, such as image gradients, to attract the mesh. According to the present invention, manually drawn attractors in the form of complete or partial contours corresponding to boundaries of the structure of interest are placed into the images which do not contain sufficient feature information. These attractors may easily be discriminated by a subsequent segmentation process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration method (100) of registering a second image dataset with a first image dataset on the basis of a set of landmarks, said registration method (100) comprising a weight-assigning step (125) for assigning a weight to each coordinate of each landmark from the set of landmarks and a registering step (145) for registering the second image dataset with the first image dataset on the basis of the weight assigned to the each coordinate. Choosing an appropriate set of landmarks and assigning an appropriate weight to each coordinate of each landmark from the set of landmarks can be used for optimizing selected displacements of a designated anatomical structure comprising elastic bodies and/or a plurality of independent rigid bodies in a sequence of image datasets. This enables rendering a sequence of views wherein the designated anatomical structure is not displaced off a viewing plane and/or a selected part of the designated anatomical structure is not displaced in a viewing plane.