Abstract: A method and system determines a utility of performing a re-planning on a patient during a radiation therapy planning. Quality improvements which may be made possible by re-planning the patient are automatically estimated, independent of clinician bias. This enables the clinician to make an informed decision regarding whether to re-plan the patient in a fast and efficient manner. This achieves more uniformity and predictability in the adaptive re-planning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brachytherapy system for supporting application of radiation to a patient body. The system cooperates with an applicator (1) configured for fixating at least one radiation source in a body region and comprises an ultrasound device (3) configured for generating a three-dimensional image of the body region including the applicator (1). Further, an image generation unit (9) comprises a pre-stored three-dimensional model of the applicator (1) and is configured to obtain position information relating the applicator (1) on the basis of the three-dimensional image of the body region and to align the three-dimensional image of the body region and the pre-stored three-dimensional model of the applicator (1) on the basis of the position information.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a utility of performing a re-planning on a patient during a radiation therapy planning are provided. They automatically estimate quality improvements which may be possible by re-planning the patient, independent of clinician bias, so that the clinician can make an informed decision regarding whether to re-plan the patient in a fast and efficient manner. More uniformity and predictability in the adaptive re-planning is thus provided.

Abstract: Adeformation vector field (DVF) (22)is computed that relatively spatially registers a first image (16)and a second image (14). A contour (26)delineating a structure in the first image is adapted using the DVF to generate an initial contour (52)for the structure in the second image. A final contour (56)is received for the structure in the second image. The DVF is corrected based on the initial and final contours for the structure in the second image to generate a corrected DVF (32). The correction may comprise computing an adjustment DVF (62)relating the initial and final contours and combining the DVF and the adjustment DVF to generate the corrected DVF. The final contour may be received by displaying the second image overlaid with the initial contour, and receiving user adjustments of the overlaid contour with the overlaid contour updated for each received user adjustment.

Abstract: A technique is provided for extracting one or more features of interest from one or more projection images. The technique includes accessing projection images comprising at least one feature of interest enhanced by a contrast agent, generating a contrast agent null image based on the projection images, generating a bone mask based on the contrast agent null image, and generating a bone extracted image based on the bone mask.

Abstract: Adeformation vector field (DVF) (22)is computed that relatively spatially registers a first image (16)and a second image (14). A contour (26)delineating a structure in the first image is adapted using the DVF to generate an initial contour (52)for the structure in the second image. A final contour (56)is received for the structure in the second image. The DVF is corrected based on the initial and final contours for the structure in the second image to generate a corrected DVF (32). The correction may comprise computing an adjustment DVF (62)relating the initial and final contours and combining the DVF and the adjustment DVF to generate the corrected DVF.The final contour may be received by displaying the second image overlaid with the initial contour, and receiving user adjustments of the overlaid contour with the overlaid contour updated for each received user adjustment.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a phonocardiogram interface configured to receive a phonocardiogram signal captured according to a first set of capturing properties, a processor configured to analyze the phonocardiogram signal to determine an analysis result for the phonocardiogram signal and a confidence value of the determined analysis result, and a flow control configured to determine, whether a subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to a second set of capturing properties is likely to improve an accuracy of the determined analysis result. If applicable, the flow control coordinates the subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to the second set of capturing properties.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a signal processing apparatus and its method of operation. The apparatus comprises a phonocardiogram interface adapted to receive a phonocardiogram signal captured according to a first set of capturing properties, a processor adapted to analyze the phonocardiogram signal to determine an analysis result for the phonocardiogram signal and a confidence value of the determined analysis result, and a flow control adapted to determine, whether a subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to a second set of capturing properties is likely to improve an accuracy of the determined analysis result. If applicable the flow control coordinates the subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to the second set of capturing properties The invention also refers to a corresponding computer program product.

Abstract: A technique for automatically labeling a CT image of the brain with anatomical information. The anatomical information is obtained from an atlas of the brain prepared from an MR image of the brain. The atlas contains image data that is referenced to the Talairach coordinate system. The atlas is aligned to the CT image and the coordinate system of the CT image data is transformed to the Talairach coordinate system. The alignment of the CT image and the atlas is performed using anatomical landmarks that are visible on both the CT image and the atlas. The CT image is then labeled automatically with the anatomical information in the atlas.

Abstract: A method includes performing an automatic partitioning of Neuro-vessels into a plurality of anatomically relevant circulatory systems using a CT system.

Abstract: A technique for producing a three-dimensional segmented image of blood vessels and automatically labeling the blood vessels. A scanned image of the head is obtained and an algorithm is used to segment the blood vessel image data from the image data of other tissues in the image. An algorithm is used to partition the blood vessel image data into sub-volumes that are then used to designate the root ends and the endpoints of major arteries. An algorithm is used to identify a seed-point voxel in one of the blood vessels within one of the sub-volume of the partition. Other voxels are then coded based on their geodesic distance from the seed-point voxel. An algorithm is used to identify endpoints of the arteries. This algorithm may also be used in the other sub-volumes to locate the starting points and endpoints of other blood vessels. One sub-volume is further sub-divided into left and right, anterior, medial, and posterior zones.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically generating a bone mask in CTA angiography. In accordance with the technique, an image data set may be pre-processed to accomplish a variety of function, such as removal of image data associated with the table, partitioning the volume into regionally consistent sub-volumes, computing structures edges based on gradients, and/or calculating seed points for subsequent region growing. The pre-processed data may then be automatically segmented for bone and vascular structure. The automatic vascular segmentation may be accomplished using constrained region growing in which the constraints are dynamically updated based upon local statistics of the image data. The vascular structure may be subtracted from the bone structure to generate a bone mask. The bone mask may in turn be subtracted from the image data set to generate a bone-free CTA volume for reconstruction of volume renderings.

Abstract: A technique is provided for extracting one or more features of interest from one or more projection images. The technique includes accessing projection images comprising at least one feature of interest enhanced by a contrast agent, generating a contrast agent null image based on the projection images, generating a bone mask based on the contrast agent null image, and generating a bone extracted image based on the bone mask.

Abstract: A method for improving a resolution of an image is provided. The method includes reconstructing an image of an initial portion of an object at an initial resolution, and reconstructing an additional portion of the object at an additional resolution.

Abstract: A technique for automatically labeling a CT image of the brain with anatomical information. The anatomical information is obtained from an atlas of the brain prepared from an MR image of the brain. The atlas contains image data that is referenced to the Talairach coordinate system. The atlas is aligned to the CT image and the coordinate system of the CT image data is transformed to the Talairach coordinate system. The alignment of the CT image and the atlas is performed using anatomical landmarks that are visible on both the CT image and the atlas. The CT image is then labeled automatically with the anatomical information in the atlas.

Abstract: A technique for producing a three-dimensional segmented image of blood vessels and automatically labeling the blood vessels. A scanned image of the head is obtained and an algorithm is used to segment the blood vessel image data from the image data of other tissues in the image. An algorithm is used to partition the blood vessel image data into sub-volumes that are then used to designate the root ends and the endpoints of major arteries. An algorithm is used to identify a seed-point voxel in one of the blood vessels within one of the sub-volume of the partition. Other voxels are then coded based on their geodesic distance from the seed-point voxel. An algorithm is used to identify endpoints of the arteries. This algorithm may also be used in the other sub-volumes to locate the starting points and endpoints of other blood vessels. One sub-volume is further sub-divided into left and right, anterior, medial, and posterior zones.

Abstract: A method includes performing an automatic partitioning of Neuro-vessels into a plurality of anatomically relevant circulatory systems using a CT system.

Abstract: A technique is provided for segmenting a structure of interest from a volume dataset. The technique identifies regions of the structure using templates having characteristics of the structure of interest. The identified regions may then undergo a constrained growth process using dynamic constraints that may vary based on local statistics associated with the identified structure regions. Edges within the volume may be determined using gradient data determined by evaluating the strongest gradient between each pixel and all adjacent pixels. The edge data may be used to prevent the constrained growing process from exceeding the boundaries of the structure of interest.

Abstract: A method for improving a resolution of an image is provided. The method includes reconstructing an image of an initial portion of an object at an initial resolution, and reconstructing an additional portion of the object at an additional resolution.

Abstract: A technique is provided for partitioning an imaged volume into two or more sub-volumes. The technique identifies partition lines which separate the sub-volumes by generating a profile, such as a bone profile, which is then analyzed to determine the placement of the partition lines. In one embodiment, placement of the partition lines is determined automatically by applying one or more sets of hierarchical rules to the profile. After separation of the imaged volume into sub-volumes, each sub-volume may be differentially segmented such that segmentation is customized for the sub-volume. Likewise, after separation of the imaged volume into sub-volumes, the acquisition parameters for each sub-volume may be customized for subsequent acquisitions.