Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing a 2-dimensional (D) computerized-tomography (CT) image corresponding to a 2-D ultrasound image through image registration between 3-D ultrasound and CT images are disclosed. An imaging system comprises a CT imaging unit, an ultrasound image forming unit, a storing unit, a processor and a display unit. The processor extracts the 2-D CT image from the 3-D ultrasound-CT registered image by performing a rigid-body transform upon the 3-D ultrasound image and calculating similarities between reference images and the 2-D ultrasound images, wherein the reference images are obtained through the rigid-body transform.

Abstract: A registration pointer includes a camera located in an elongated shaft having a distal end configured to be contacted to a bone of a patient to register the bone to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system. The camera may be a hemispherical camera and may include a panoramic camera and a wide-angle camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. The registration pointer is configured to transmit images received by the cameras to the computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system for display thereon. The computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system may be configured to generate an image, such as a hemispherical image, based on the images received from the registration pointer.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for entering a medical device such as a needle into the body inside a medical imager such as a MRI scanner, CT, X-ray fluoroscopy, and ultrasound imaging, from within a body cavity (such as the rectum, vagina, or laparoscopically accessed cavity). A three degree-of-freedom mechanical device translates and rotates inside the cavity and enters a needle into the body, and steers the needle to a target point selected by the user. The device is guided by real-time images from the medical imager. Networked computers process the medical images and enable the clinician to control the motion of the mechanical device that is operated within the imager, outside of the imager or remotely from outside the imager.

Abstract: A method including positioning a catheter at a location in a blood vessel; imaging a thickness of a portion of a wall of the blood vessel at the location; identifying a treatment site; advancing a needle a distance into the wall of the blood vessel to the treatment site; and introducing a treatment agent through the needle to the treatment site. A composition including an inflammation-inducing agent and a carrier in the form of microspheres having a particle size suitable for transvascular delivery. A composition including a therapeutic angiogenesis promoter in a carrier and an opsonin-inhibitor coupled to the carrier. An apparatus for delivery of a therapeutic angiogenesis promoter.

Abstract: A device and a method for recognizing electromagnetic fields, specifically those fields that occur in image-guided nuclear spin tomography examinations (hereinafter MRT or MRI). In particular, it relates to an implantable medical device (IMD) containing a unit for detecting MRT activity, whereby the unit for the detection of MRT activity consists of at least one vibration transducer that transforms vibrations and/or oscillations caused by an MRT device into an electrical or optical signal and the unit for detecting MRT activity recognizes an MRT activity because of this signal.

Abstract: The invention comprises a rapid patient positioning system including a computer and motor controlled patient constraint system, such as a patient head and/or back support system having multiple adjustable degrees of freedom that facilitates accurate, precise, and rapid alignment of a patient relative to a support or table. The patient support system is preferably integrated with a rapid patient positioning system including steps of: positioning a patient relative to the table in a substantially vertical orientation, transitioning the table through a semi-vertical orientation, such as with a robot arm, and orientating the patient and the table in a substantially horizontal orientation, such as in a position for charged particle tumor therapy. Preferably, the robot arm is in common with an arm used to move the patient in traditional proton therapy.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a medical intervention procedure is disclosed. A first image acquisition system is configured to produce a fluoroscopy image of an anatomical region. A second image acquisition system is configured to produce a 3D model of the anatomical region. An interventional tracking system, which includes a position indicator, is configured to maneuver within the anatomical region. A first anatomical reference system is common to both the first and the second image acquisition systems, and a second anatomical reference system is common to both the first image acquisition system and the interventional tracking system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for use in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. The invention further provides to binding agents and kits for us e.g., in such methods. The present invention further relates to compositions, methods of making said compositions and methods of using the same, including use in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, including lung, lymphoma, liver, thyroid and bladder cancer. Compositions of the present invention useful in the treatment of cancer include anti-sense and small inhibitory RNAs (siRNA).

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first three-dimensional (3-D) image of a bone structure, generating a surgical plan based on the first 3-D image and registering the surgical plan to the bone structure to generate a registered surgical plan by obtaining a first 2-D real-time video image of the bone structure and a second 3-D image of the bone structure, and correlating structures from the first 2-D real-time video image and the second 3-D image with the surgical plan. The method also includes obtaining a second 2-D real-time image of the bone structure and overlaying the registered surgical plan onto the second 2-D real-time video image.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: An equine CT table for positioning a horse during a CT (“computed tomography”) scan. The table is positioned above the patient couch and communicates with the conventional CT system for examination of a horse without requiring mechanical or electrical attachments between the CT system and table. The table includes a frame carrying a tracking system, a linear movement system and a carousel upon which the horse is positioned. Prior to examination, positioning of the horse on the table may be manually adjusted linearly and/or radially in any direction to properly align the horse. Infinitely positionable cantilever members are provided to support horse's appendages. The tracking system identifies movement of the CT couch and mimics the movement with the linear movement system to enter and retract the horse from the gantry at predetermined positioning.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for producing registered images of a body lumen are provided. The system includes a first imaging device having an imager positioned at a distal end thereof, said first imaging device configured to produce a first image of a body cavity; and an imaging system, including a second imaging device having an imager positioned at a distal end thereof and configured to be positioned approximate to said imager of said first imaging device within said body cavity and configured to produce a second image; an elongated member configured to contain said second imaging device; and at least one marker configured to produce registration information in the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting permittivity and conductivity boundaries within a high resolution spatial image of a material is presented. Electrical properties of a material, such as permittivity and conductivity, may assist in identification of physical properties of the material. Structural boundaries within tissue may be identified in spatial images, such as MR images. Image reconstruction algorithms may combine these structural boundaries with microwave images of the tissue to determine the permittivity and conductivity parameters within the structural boundaries. In the case of soft tissue, the microwave images may be captured simultaneously with the spatial images. The microwave images may be taken at a different time from the spatial image for rigid tissue. The method may be employed for two dimensional or three dimensional image reconstruction.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a stimulation location on a nerve is disclosed. The system includes an image-based navigation interface used to facilitate advancing a stimulation element within a patient body toward a target nerve stimulation site. Using the system one determines, separately for each potential target nerve stimulation site, a neuromuscular response of muscles produced upon applying a stimulation signal at the respective separate potential target stimulation sites. The image-based navigation interface is configured to display a graphic identification of which muscles were activated for each respective potential target nerve stimulation site upon applying the stimulation signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the knee laxity, with or without use of additional means of diagnosis such as computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, evaluating the instability of the knee due to rupture of any ligament, namely the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, postero-internal capsule, postero-external capsule, as well as around the axis of an orthonormal referential, that comprises three parts respectively to accept and retain the thigh, leg and foot. The device (1) includes independent means (20) and (21) to push backward the anterior zone of the leg and to push forward the posterior zone of the leg, and independent means (12) and (13) to push the part (5) for support and fixation of the foot in clockwise direction and in anti-clockwise direction.

Abstract: To allow safe treatment of a patient, in particular a puncture or biopsy using a needle, a 2D sectional image of an implant plane and a further 2D sectional image of an orthogonal plane are generated from a 3D image data record of a region to be examined. The two planes are hereby oriented such that the needle is on the one hand located within the implant plane and on the other hand is oriented in a perpendicular manner in respect of the orthogonal plane. The parallel display of the 2D images allows the doctor to acquire the relative position of the needle in relation to the region to be examined in a simple and intuitive manner.

Abstract: A robotically controlled guide instrument system, comprising an elongate flexible guide instrument; a drive assembly coupled to a proximal portion of the guide instrument and configured to maneuver a distal portion of the guide instrument; a master controller including a user interface that may be manipulated to actuate the drive assembly and thereby maneuver the distal portion the guide instrument; and a closure device detachably coupled to a delivery member carried by the guide instrument, the guide instrument maneuverable to position the closure device proximate an opening of a left atrial appendage of a person's heart such that the prosthesis may be detached from the delivery member and implanted to substantially close off the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Methods for quantifying, adjusting or terminating a dose of a therapeutic intervention applied to tissue of a patient. A therapeutic intervention of a specified intensity is applied to a region of interest of the tissue. The tissue is mechanically excited, typically concurrently with the therapeutic intervention, and the region of interest is scanned optically or ultrasonically at the same time. An interference signal is acquired by coherently detecting post-interaction illumination arising in the region of interest by interfering the post-interaction illumination with a reference beam derived from the identical source as that of the scanning. A phase and/or amplitude of response of the tissue relative to the mechanical excitation based on the interference signal. A spatially resolved measure of a property of the region of interest is derived based on the phase of response, allowing for adjustment or termination of the therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A data transmission system connected to a bone implant has an extra-corporeally arranged external transmitting unit an implantable internal first receiving unit adapted to be actuated by the external transmitting unit. An internal transmitting unit is adapted to be coupled and implanted to the implant. A second transmission section is located between the external transmitting unit and the internal first receiving unit, via which the internal transmitting unit is actuated. A second receiving unit and a first transmission section is located between the internal transmitting unit and the second receiving unit. The first transmission section operates with acoustic vibrations or waves.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurate positioning of a needle guide is disclosed. The apparatus provides a means for taking as input the position vector for the point of insertion of the needle into the body. This point of insertion can be selected from images produced by a Computer Tomography system. Similarly, the apparatus has a means for taking as input the point of target. A controller determines the directional vector between point of insertion and point of target. A guide manipulator accurately positions the needle guide in line with the directional vector, such that the needle can easily be inserted through the guide to the point of target. The positioning of the guide manipulator in accordance with the directional vector is done with the help of motors.

Abstract: A tissue marking apparatus includes a marker introducer that has a cannula and a stylet. The cannula has a lumen and a marker exit port. The stylet is slidably received in the lumen. The stylet has a distal end. A tissue marker is configured to be received in the lumen distal to the distal end of the stylet. The tissue marker is a drug-eluting tissue marker for marking a site in a tissue mass, and has a drug-eluting portion having a drug for release to the site and a material that can be imaged using an imaging technique.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, includes a tag adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, including a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric signal; and a circuit to impress said electric signal on the internal human (or an animal) body where the medical product is used; and a transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic signal; and a detector including a receptor for receiving the electric signal from the body and a detector connected to the receptor for detecting the electric signal. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at the output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated.

Abstract: A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, wherein the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image are created at different times, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image. A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image, wherein the act of determining the position is performed is substantially real time.

Abstract: An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion.

Abstract: To improve patient comfort and reduce claustrophobia experienced by patients in a medical diagnosis or therapy apparatus, in particular a CT apparatus or an MR apparatus, with an examination region demarcated by said inner wall, in which examination region a patient can be positioned, a display is arranged in a region forming at least a portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: A method for visualization includes receiving an input indicative of respective apparent coordinates of a plurality of points disposed along a length of a probe inside a body of a subject, and applying a model of known mechanical properties of the probe to the apparent coordinates so as to compute a cost function with respect to shapes that can be assumed by the probe in the body. A shape is chosen responsively to the cost function, and corrected coordinates of the points along the length of the probe are generated based on the shape. The representation of the probe using the corrected coordinates is then displayed.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector; a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interface; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.

Abstract: In a medical imaging apparatus for imaging mammary gland and breast while compressing the breast with a compression plate, the posture of an ultrasonic probe relative to the compression plate is kept constant and the moving motion of the ultrasonic probe is stabilized. The apparatus includes: an imaging stage; a compression plate; an ultrasonic probe provided to maintain acoustic connection to the compression plate, for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; an ultrasonic imaging unit for supplying the drive signals to the ultrasonic probe and generating image data based on the reception signals; a detecting unit for detecting a location and/or a posture of the ultrasonic probe relative to the compression plate; and a control unit for controlling the location and/or the posture of the ultrasonic probe based on a detection result of the detecting unit.

Abstract: Methods for registering a three-dimensional model of a body volume to a real-time indication of a sensor position that involve analyzing scanned and sensed voxels and using parameters or thresholds to identify said voxels as being either tissue or intraluminal fluid. Those voxels identified as fluid are then used to construct a real-time sensed three-dimensional model of the lumen which is then compared to a similarly constructed, but previously scanned model to establish and update registration.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a position of a medical instrument with respect to a patient's body, including a medical instrument, a reference mount attachable to the patient's body for movement with the patient's body, and an electromagnetic unit for association with the reference mount and the medical instrument for monitoring movement of the medical instrument relative to the reference mount. The electromagnetic unit includes a first member attachable to the patient's body and a second member attachable to the medical instrument. The first and second members communicate by electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An endoprobe for microsurgical procedures is provided, including a hand-piece having a concentric drive having a proximal coupling and a distal coupling and a cannula assembly coupled to the hand-piece. The cannula assembly may include an outer tube having a longitudinal axis and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, the distal coupling providing a first rotation to the outer tube about the longitudinal axis and the proximal coupling providing a second rotation to the inner tube within the outer tube. According to embodiments disclosed herein a method for scanning a light beam using a cannula assembly as described above is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved intravascular intervention device. In one embodiment, an intravascular intervention device includes a microcatheter configured for intravascular delivery, an imaging wire received within the microcatheter, and a treatment device received within the microcatheter, wherein the imaging wire and the treatment device may be simultaneously advanced. The treatment device is configured to perform intravascular intervention. For example, the treatment device may be configured to deliver a stent, an embolic coil and/or a thrombolytic agent. In this embodiment, the intravascular intervention device may image the area of interest while performing the intravascular intervention, thus allowing imaging to take place in real time.

Abstract: Provided is a syringe needle guiding apparatus 4 which creates images of a blood vessel 9 which cannot be directly seen with the naked eyes and of a syringe needle 10 inserted into a body, and which includes a monitor 3 allowing the recognition of the three-dimensional relationship between the blood vessel 9 and the needle 10. In the syringe needle guiding apparatus 4 provided here, the blood vessel 9 is seen through by using near infrared rays and also a part of the needle 10, which cannot be seen through because it is inserted into a body, is reproduced in a form of virtual image. A virtually synthesized image of the blood vessel 9 and the needle 10 is displayed on the monitor 3. Then, a target 88 at which the needle 10 is to be inserted, a direction, a distance 12-A, an angle 12-B of the needle with respect to the blood vessel, and the like are displayed in the synthesized image, so that the positional relationship between the blood vessel and the needle 10 is recognized in a three-dimensional manner.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: An operation room may comprise both an object scanning apparatus for examining an object using x-ray radiation and an irradiation component for treating an object using particle radiation. A support article upon which the object may reside during (both) the examination and treatment may be configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane through which x-ray radiation travels, may be configured to tilt with respect to the axis, and/or may be configured to yaw with respect to the axis. In this way, the relative orientation of the support article and the object remain substantially constant during the examination and treatment to facilitate treating a desired area of the object.

Abstract: A combined radiation therapy/PET apparatus includes: an open PET device having multi-ring detector rings that are opposed to each other in the direction of the body axis so as to leave a gap therebetween; and a radiation therapy apparatus for performing radiation therapy through the gap. When imaging the condition of an affected area and a treatment beam for monitoring in radiation therapy of irradiating the affected area with X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams, the apparatus covers a region of interest in the irradiation field of the radiation therapy with the field-of-view of the open PET device, thereby making possible the positioning of the irradiation field and treatment monitoring using PET images.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a radiation source, coincident positron emission detectors configured to detect coincident positron annihilation emissions originating within a coordinate system, and a controller coupled to the radiation source and the coincident positron emission detectors, the controller configured to identify coincident positron annihilation emission paths intersecting one or more volumes in the coordinate system and align the radiation source along an identified coincident positron annihilation emission path.

Abstract: Presentation of images showing with high resolution the state of a surgical field during surgery is realized with a simple configuration. When performing surgery, a three-dimensional model is generate based on MRI images of a patient captured prior to surgery, and three-dimensional coordinates of each location on a surface of the patient are measured by scanning a laser beam over the surface and detecting laser beam reflected therefrom, and correspondence is made with the MRI image for each location of the surface (frameless/markerless: steps 100 to 116), the position of a surgical instrument is also detected by the laser beam, the position of the surgical instrument derived, and images of the surgical instrument combined onto the MRI images and displayed during surgery (steps 120 to 130).

Abstract: A system and method for non-invasive and continuous measurement of cardiac chamber volume and derivative parameters including stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction comprising an ultrawideband radar system having a transmitting and receiving antenna for applying ultrawideband radio signals to a target area of a subject's anatomy wherein the receiving antenna collects and transmits signal returns from the target area which are then delivered to a data processing unit, such as an integrated processor or PDA, having software and hardware used to process the signal returns to produce a value for cardiac stroke volume and changes in cardiac stroke volume supporting multiple diagnostic requirements for emergency response and medical personnel whether located in the battlefield, at a disaster site or at a hospital or other treatment facility.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: an imaging system (10) configured to acquire emission data from a cyclically varying element; a monitoring instrument (20, 22) configured to measure the cyclical varying of the cyclically varying element; and an electronic device (40) configured to locate an image feature corresponding to the cyclically varying element in the acquired emission data based on correlation of time variation of the emission data with the cyclical varying of the cyclically varying element measured by the monitoring instrument.

Abstract: Cardiac mapping and ablation include a multi-electrode catheter introduced percutaneously into a subject's heart and deployable adjacent to various endocardial sites. The electrodes are connectable to a mapping unit, an ablation power unit a pacing unit, all of which are under computer control. Intracardiac electrogram signals emanated from a tachycardia site of origin are detectable by the electrodes. Their arrival times are processed to generate various visual maps to provide real-time guidance for steering the catheter to the tachycardia site of origin. In another aspect, the system also includes a physical imaging system which is capable of providing different imaged physical views of the catheter and the heart. These physical views are incorporated into the various visual maps to provide a more physical representation. Once the electrodes are on top of the tachycardia site of origin, electrical energy is supplied by the ablation power unit to effect ablation.

Abstract: A prostate immobilizer has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough, a balloon affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon, a lumen extending within the shaft so as to have an end opening adjacent an end of the balloon, and a device for locking a position of the shaft. The device has a positioning member having a stem portion extending from a head portion, and a locking member having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member cooperates with the stem portion of the positioning member so as to fix a position on the shaft. A channel is formed in the head portion so as to receive the shaft therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting with positioning of an implant on a specific point in a vessel of a patient is proposed. A first interventional instrument is inserted in a region of the specific point. A series of 2D x-ray recordings of the vessel with the first instrument are obtained by adjusting an x-ray device. Based on markers of the first instrument mapped in the 2D x-ray recordings, at least two reference lines are defined restricting the specific point. A second interventional instrument is inserted in the region of the specific point. Fluoroscopy images of the vessel with the second instrument are obtained by adjusting the x-ray device. The reference lines in the fluoroscopy images are superimposed as localization aid. The specific point in the vessel can also be restricted by a reference region as a localization aid defined based on x-ray recordings of the specific point obtained using contrast agent.

Abstract: A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from ?15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.

Abstract: An integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow an ophthalmologist to perform laser retinal surgical procedures with an integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining attenuation values for PET data of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the method includes detecting at least one accessory of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and detecting the position and/or alignment of the accessory by way of an imaging measuring method; comparing the detected accessory with data from a database; and assigning an attenuation map, which is contained in the database, to attenuation values of the detected accessory and adapting the attenuation map to the detected position and/or alignment of the accessory.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for targeting tissue structures and applying ultrasound thereto. A method according to the disclosed subject matter for targeting a tissue structure using corresponding tissue structure image data includes inputting the tissue structure image data into a targeting simulator, determining acoustic properties of the tissue structure from the corresponding tissue structure image data, and utilizing the determined acoustic properties to align a simulated transducer with the tissue structure such that the tissue structure is targeted. The method can further include acquiring the tissue structure image data, aligning the image data with an atlas of a body structure encompassing the tissue structure and/or selecting parameters of the simulated transducer such that a focal region of an ultrasound wave generated by the simulated transducer targets the tissue structure.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing a 2-dimensional (D) computerized-tomography (CT) image corresponding to a 2-D ultrasound image through image registration between 3-D ultrasound and CT images are disclosed. An imaging system comprises a CT imaging unit, an ultrasound image forming unit, a storing unit, a processor and a display unit. The processor extracts the 2-D CT image from the 3-D ultrasound-CT registered image by performing a rigid-body transform upon the 3-D ultrasound image and calculating similarities between reference images and the 2-D ultrasound images, wherein the reference images are obtained through the rigid-body transform.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for generating combined image data representing a volumetric image of a subject and a color textured external surface of the subject. According to one embodiment, two-dimensional image data of a surface of the subject can be obtained from a two-dimensional imager. Volumetric data of the subject can be obtained from a volumetric scanner. The two-dimensional imager can have a known optical property and physical position relative to the volumetric scanner. External surface mesh data can be generated based on the volumetric data. The two-dimensional image data can be mapped to the external surface mesh data based on the known physical position of the two-dimensional imager and the volumetric scanner. Display image data including the two-dimensional image data mapped to the external surface map data combined with the volumetric data can be generated and displayed.