Abstract: Medical software tools platform utilizes a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist those in the operating room, such as a surgeon or surgical team, with a surgery. In particular, an optical sensor located within an endoscopic camera may register the momentary change in the optical characteristics reflected from a tissue surface and in turn transmit the information to a medical image processing system which can also receive patient heart rate data and display relevant anomalies. Changes in various spectral components and the speed at which they change in relation to a source of stimulus (heartbeat, etc.) may indicate the arrival of blood, contrast agents or oxygen absorption. Combinations of these may indicate various states of differing disease or margins of tumors, and so forth. Also, changes in temperatures and the speed of change may indicate subsurface anomalies.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a catheter having a simple structure capable of excising an atheroma in a blood vessel and capable of obtaining ultrasonic images of a blood vessel. [Solution] A catheter 10 has a shaft 11 having an opening 20 in a part of the side wall on the distal end side, a cutter 12 which is located in the vicinity of the opening 20 in the internal space of the shaft 11 and which can move in the axial direction 101 of the shaft 11, a balloon 23 which is disposed on the side opposite to the opening 20 with respect to the axis of the shaft 11 and which outwardly expands from the side wall of the shaft 11, and a phased array ultrasound probe 17 disposed along the circumferential direction 102 of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall in the vicinity of the opening 20 at least on the same side as the side where the opening 20 is provided with respect to the axis of the shaft 11.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for temporal up-to-date representation of a moving section of a body is provided. A first x-ray image data record is provided containing the moving section in a specific movement phase and a first 2D x-ray image and a 3D x-ray image superimposed and registered with one another. 2D x-ray images are repeatedly recorded each containing the moving section. 3D ultrasound images are repeatedly recorded each containing the moving section. Extended 2D x-ray images are created from the 2D x-ray images using the first x-ray images data record. The 3D ultrasound images are used as intermediaries for movement correction. The extended 2D images are displayed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an operation-path recommendation method and apparatus. In the present disclosure, by an operation-path recommendation apparatus, a blood vessel graph model is generated based on patient's anatomical information, a plurality of candidate paths between defined start and destination points is extracted; node information on at least one node in each of the candidate paths is extracted; a cost function is applied to each candidate path, based on the extracted node information.

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for tunnelling in rock. The machine includes a pilot drill assembly for drilling a series of interfering parallel holes or a pilot hole into and generally perpendicular into a rock face and a blast hole drill assembly for drilling a series of blasting holes around the pilot hole or previous blast hole. The machine further includes a charge handling and loading assembly for loading the first series of holes with propellant charges and an ignitor system for igniting the charges. Included further is a rock clearing means for removing the blast rock from the blast face and a rock pick for clearing and picking the floor, roof or walls to provide access for the machine into the tunnel and a mobility assembly for moving the machine forward.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an image obtaining unit obtaining first and second three-dimensional images, a deformation information obtaining unit obtaining deformation between two images, a cross-sectional image generating unit generating first and second cross-sectional images, a target position obtaining unit obtaining a target position in the first cross-sectional image, a corresponding position obtaining unit obtaining a corresponding position in the second three-dimensional image which corresponds to the target position on the basis of the deformation information.

Abstract: A technique allows for an electrical connection between a thermal abrasion heating catheter and the energy delivery console that utilizes serial communication. Accordingly, the serial communication allows data such as measured temperature, start/stop status, intended treatment area, device identification, device calibration parameters and/or use history to be conveyed along the same wires that deliver power to a heating element. For example, data can be conveyed along a two wire connection and provided at a frequency that is filtered out so that it is not delivered to a heating feature. In this example, one wire provides power to the heating element, one wire provided communication from the energy delivery console, and a third wire provides a common ground which the heating catheter uses to communicate with the energy delivery console.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving quantification of OCT angiography data are disclosed. The disclosure specifically relates to methods for compensating for the effect of tissue reflectance to improve the accuracy and repeatability of OCT angiography measurements. These improvements are effected by deriving and then utilizing a dynamic thresholding approach to process decorrelation data to properly classify flow versus non-flow data in OCT angiograms. The disclosed methods overcome quantification errors associated with within-scan variations in reflectance as well as repeatability problems associated with differences in scan quality over successive imaging sessions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is at least partially visible by both a three dimensional (3D) scanner system of a medical navigation system and a tracking system of the medical navigation system. The apparatus includes a rigid member, a plurality of identifiable features attached to the rigid member and visible by the tracking system, a distinct identifiable portion visible by the 3D scanner system, and a connector mechanism attached to the rigid member to connect the apparatus to a location. The apparatus is in a field of view of the 3D scanner system and the tracking system within a timeframe of the 3D scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing pathologies utilizing quantitative imaging are presented herein. Advantageously, the systems and methods of the present disclosure utilize a hierarchical analytics framework that identifies and quantify biological properties/analytes from imaging data and then identifies and characterizes one or more pathologies based on the quantified biological properties/analytes. This hierarchical approach of using imaging to examine underlying biology as an intermediary to assessing pathology provides many analytic and processing advantages over systems and methods that are configured to directly determine and characterize pathology from underlying imaging data.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system is disclosed including a camera that is fixedly attached to a patient. The camera space merges with the patient space and thereby eliminates the need for a separate patient tracker. The surgical navigation system calculates the position of a surgical tool with a tracking device in view of the camera and shows on a display device the position of the surgical tool with respect to the patient superimposed and in correlation with a scan image of the patient.

Abstract: A heavy-particle treatment system exposes a patient's treatment volume, during the course of a single treatment session, to beams of heavy particles from a variety of different angles. The source of heavy particles may rotate about the patient to facilitate that variety of different angles. The foregoing can occur pursuant to a treatment plan that accounts for a penetration range as corresponds to the beams of heavy particles and for using at least one lateral beam controlling device to control at least one of the beams of heavy particles.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a Computer Tomography (CT) image is disclosed. The method may comprise: obtaining a X-ray projection data frame and a dynamic sensor information data frame, wherein the X-ray projection data frame may include a first timestamp indicating acquisition time of X-ray projection data and the dynamic sensor information data frame may include a second timestamp indicating acquisition time of dynamic sensor information data; extracting the first timestamp from the X-ray projection data frame and extracting the second timestamp from the dynamic sensor information data frame; searching X-ray projection data and dynamic sensor information data which may be acquired in same sampling period according to a first timestamp and a second timestamp; and reconstructing a CT image according to the searched X-ray projection data and dynamic sensor information data which may be acquired in the same sampling period.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for extracting ions from an ion source, such as for use in cancer treatment or tomographic imaging. The extraction apparatus uses a triode extraction system, with the ion source and/or first electrode held at a first potential; an extraction electrode held at a second potential; and a gating electrode, positioned between the ion source and the extraction electrode, oscillating and/or alternating between a first suppression potential proximate that of the ion source potential and a second extraction potential between the ion source potential and the extraction electrode potential. Optionally, the ion source comprises an electron cyclotron resonance ion source.

Abstract: A calibration system includes a channel block (102) having a plurality of channels (104) formed therein. The channels are configured to correspond to locations where treatment devices are inserted for treatment of a patient. The channels are dimensioned to restrict motion of the treatment devices. A tracking system (128) is configured to monitor a position of a treatment device (108) inserted in one or more of the channels. The tracking system is configured to generate tracking data for the at least one treatment device for comparison with an expected position for the treatment device.

Abstract: A surgical method aids identification of nerves in a body to help prevent damage to the nerves during surgery to the body proximate the nerves. An electrode introduced to within a body cavity through a catheter is placed proximate a nerve within the body cavity by a laparoscopic or robotic device. An exploratory probe placed in the body cavity is selectively placed along a presumed pathway of the nerve to provide an electrical signal through the nerve to the electrode. An analyzer interfaced with the electrode analyzes the electrical signal received at the electrode to determine the proximity of the exploratory probe to the nerve, allowing mapping of the nerve pathway through the body cavity.

Abstract: A method of compensating for motion of objects during a surgical procedure is provided. The method includes determining a pose of an anatomy of a patient; determining a pose of a surgical tool of a surgical device; defining a relationship between the pose of the anatomy and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of the surgical tool; associating the pose of the anatomy, the pose of the surgical tool, and the relationship; and updating the association in response to a motion of the anatomy and/or a motion of the surgical tool without interrupting operation of the surgical device during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: System for registering a coordinate system associated with a pre-acquired model of an object with a reference coordinate system. The system includes a portable unit which includes a display, a tracking system for tracking the portable unit and a processor. The processor is coupled with the portable unit and with the tracking system. The processor determines the position and orientation of the portable unit. The processor further determines the position of at least one marker located on the object according to at least one of, a tracked pointer and respective position related information. The processor further displays registration related information on the display. At least one of the registration related information and the display location of the registration related information are related to the position and orientation of the portable unit. The position of the at least one marker, in the coordinate system associated with the pre-acquired model, is predetermined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot for a repositioning procedure. The robot for a repositioning procedure according to the present invention, comprises: a photographing unit for photographing a plurality of bone images at different angles for each fracture region of a patient and normal region corresponding to the fracture region; an image processing unit for generating a three-dimensional interpolation image for each fracture region and normal region using the plurality of photographed bone images; and a display unit for displaying both the generated three-dimensional interpolation image for the fracture region and the generated three-dimensional interpolation image for the normal region.

Abstract: An example method of rapid image registration includes recovering an affine transform of a quasi-periodic object based on peak locations of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) in a captured image. The example method also includes filtering a region of the captured image to match a filtered version of a reference image including the quasi periodic object. The example method also includes recovering translation parameters to reduce image differences between the reference image and the captured image for a subset of the image locations of the filtered image and outputting an approximate transform including translation.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for identifying at least one anomaly in a path taken by a plurality of objects. A plurality of trajectories are input, wherein each trajectory comprises a data set indicative of a path taken by a plurality of objects from a starting point to an ending point, wherein the starting point and ending point are substantially similar for each trajectory. A plurality of sub-trajectories within the input trajectories are identified. There are identified, within the plurality of sub-trajectories, a set of sub-trajectories that are anomalous when compared to other sub-trajectories within the plurality of sub-trajectories, wherein the anomalous sub-trajectories deviate from a predetermined standard. A maximal anomalous sub-trajectory is identified from among the identified set of anomalous sub-trajectories. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced navigation for use during a surgical procedure including planning a navigation path to a target using a first data set of computed tomography images previously acquired; navigating a marker placement device to the target using the navigation path; placing a plurality of markers in tissue proximate the target; acquiring a second data set of computed tomography images including the plurality of markers; planning a second navigation path to a second target using the second data set of computed tomography images; navigating a medical instrument to a second target; capturing fluoroscopic data of tissue proximate the target; and registering the fluoroscopic data to the second data set of computed tomography images based on marker position and orientation within the real-time fluoroscopic data and the second data set of computed tomography images.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a portion of a body of a subject including acquiring a plurality of images of the portion, and displaying one of the images. In response to receiving an input that is indicative of a given location within the image, an indication of a region within the portion is generated on the image. In response to receiving a further input, a dimension of the region that is indicated within the image is modified. In response thereto, at least one tool that is suitable for being placed at the region is identified, and/or a dimension of at least one tool that is suitable for being placed at the region is identified. An output is generated is response to the identification. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An operating method assists a diagnosing practitioner with describing the location of a target structure in a tomosynthesis image data record of a compressed breast of a patient. The target structure is localized by a first spatial information item. The method includes: a) ascertaining a first shape information item describing at least one first, compressed breast shape in the tomosynthesis image data record, b) determining a second shape information item describing the breast in a non-compressed breast shape, from the first shape information item, c) mapping the position of the target structure from the compressed breast shape and to the non-compressed breast shape using at least the second shape information item for ascertaining a second spatial information item relating to the non-compressed breast shape, and d) transforming the second spatial information item into a pictogram information item facilitating an abstracted pictorial representation and/or describing the latter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for locating the parathyroid. In one aspect, temporal variation among a plurality of images is evaluated and at least one image is enhanced according to the temporal variation. The image may be enhanced to one or both of reduce conspicuity of the thyroid gland and enhance conspicuity of the parathyroid gland. Some of the plurality of images may be adjusted in order to align representations of a target portions. Adjustments may be based locations of one or more organs or one or more artificial markers affixed to a living body in the plurality of images. A local positioning system (LPS), GPS, or other locating system may be used to position a living body, align the plurality of images, or to guide the positioning of objects relative to the living body. An elastomeric gel marker for imaging applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device provide simple positioning of a TMS coil relative to a coordinate system of the patient's head while allowing flexible positioning of the patient's head. The system includes a mobile console on a wheeled base that integrates various subsystems and supports a mast that, in turn, supports a coil gantry that supports a TMS coil assembly. The coil gantry includes a balance arm with a counterbalance and a halo assembly that connects to the coil. The coil gantry supports the weight of the coil and allows free movement of the coil in all dimensions for easy placement on the patient's head. A head support and coil alignment aligns the patient's head and holds the head in place relative to the coil during TMS treatment.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to generate an integrated image based on one or more applicators inserted into a target of a patient. The method may include receiving ultrasound image data and planning image data of the target. The ultrasound image data including a pre-operative and post-operative image data and the planning image data may include post-operative image data (e.g., CT and/or MRI image data). The method may include processing the ultrasound image data and the planning image data to determine a location of each channel and/or needle. The method may include generating an integrated image including the ultrasound image data and the planning image data based on the location of each channel and/or needle of the applicator. The methods, systems, and computer readable media according to embodiments can improve target (e.g., prostate) delineation, enable accurate dose planning and delivery, and potentially enhance HDR treatment outcome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element like a radiation source into an object, particularly for calibrating a brachytherapy system. First and second images show a longish introduction device (12) like a catheter and a tracking device (16) like an electromagnetically trackable guidewire inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and the introduction device and a calibration element (46) having the same dimensions as the influencing element and being inserted into the introduction device as far as possible. A spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element is determined based on the images for calibrating the system. Knowing this spatial relation allows accurately determining an influencing plan like a brachytherapy treatment plan and accurately positioning the influencing element in accordance with the influencing plan, which in turn allows for a more accurate influencing of the object.

Abstract: A radiographing system includes a plurality of radiation imaging apparatuses and a control apparatus. The control apparatus includes a memory, a processor, a shifting unit, a determining unit, and a disabling unit. The shifting unit shifts the radiation imaging apparatus into the radiographing enabled state in which radiation is detected and a radiographic image is generated. The determining unit determine whether to disable shifting the radiation imaging apparatus into the radiographing enabled state based on control for radiographing using a different radiation imaging apparatus currently in the radiographing enabled state. The disabling unit disables shifting the radiation imaging apparatus into the radiographing enabled state based on a determination result.

Abstract: This document describes a system for determining positioning of an intubation tube in a patient. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to be disposed to listen to one of a lung and a stomach of the patient and to provide a first signal. The system includes a signal processing unit, coupled to the first acoustic sensor, configured to analyze spectral components of the first signal and determine whether a frequency of the spectral components of the first signal are characteristic of sounds induced by ventilation via the intubation tube of airflow to the lung or the stomach of the patient.

Abstract: A multi-pole synchronous pulmonary artery radiofrequency ablation catheter may comprise a control handle, a catheter body and an annular ring. One end of the catheter body may be flexible, and the flexible end of the catheter body may be connected to the annular ring. The other end of the catheter body may be connected to the control handle. A shape memory wire may be arranged in the annular ring. One end of the shape memory wire may extend to an end of the annular ring and the other end of the shape memory wire may pass through a root of the annular ring and be fixed on the flexible end of the catheter body. The annular ring may be provided with an electrode group. The device possesses advantages of simple operation, short operation time and controllable precise ablation. The device can be used to treat pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary denervation.

Abstract: An implant planning system aids delivery of radiation to tumor sites of a patient. The system allows a user to test various combinations of virtual implants, each associated with a corresponding physical implant (e.g., a carrier with an embedded radioactive seed), and to view the dosage area of the virtual implants so that adjustments to the virtual implants may be made until a prescribed dose of radiation to a treatment area is achieved. A treatment plan developed based on the virtual implants may then be used in surgical implantation of the corresponding physical implants. For example, the implant configuration of the treatment plan may be projected onto a treatment surface of a patient, such as in a surgical room, so that physical implants may be placed according to the projected image of the virtual implants.

Abstract: A technique for reliably measuring brain atrophy based on image data, such as data collected as part of an MRI scan of a subject's brain. Rather than measure anatomical features of the brain in one of the scan planes as output by an MRI system, the image data is reformatted to generate a slice that may be transverse to those scan planes. The transverse slice is generated by determining a location of anatomical landmarks and reformatting the image data to represent a slice through these anatomical landmarks. The Anterior and Posterior Commissures are useful landmarks and ventricle area is a useful characteristic to measure from the slice. The rate of change of this measured characteristic can be tracked to determine disease progression and may be useful for diagnosis or evaluation of treatments, and the technique may be applied during clinical trials.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a surgical device, configured to be manipulated by a user to perform a procedure on a patient, and a computer system. The computer system is programmed to implement control parameters for controlling the surgical device to provide at least one of haptic guidance to the user and a limit on user manipulation of the surgical device, based on a relationship between an anatomy of the patient and at least one of a position, an orientation, a velocity, and an acceleration of a portion of the surgical device, and to adjust the control parameters in response to movement of the anatomy during the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining inhomogeneity in a portion of animal tissue, which provides for the arrangement beforehand of a 3-dimensional density map of said portion of tissue; the map is obtained by means of computed tomography and therefore is formed by a plurality of voxels (VX); for each voxel (VX) of the map, respectively considered as the central voxel (VXC), the following steps are carried out:—determining a space (CC) surrounding the central voxel (VXC) and containing a group of peripheral voxels (VXP),—for each peripheral voxel (VXP) of the group, calculating a value proportional to the ratio or the difference between the density of the peripheral voxel (VXP) and the density of the central voxel (VXC), thus obtaining a plurality of values,—calculating the maximum value and/or the minimum value and/or the average value and/or a statistical partitioning value of these values, thus obtaining a local indicator of inhomogeneity in the animal tissue in correspondence to the ce

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to generate an integrated image based on one or more applicators inserted into a target of a patient. The method may include receiving ultrasound image data and planning image data of the target. The ultrasound image data including a pre-operative and post-operative image data and the planning image data may include post-operative image data (e.g., CT and/or MRI image data). The method may include processing the ultrasound image data and the planning image data to determine a location of each channel and/or needle. The method may include generating an integrated image including the ultrasound image data and the planning image data based on the location of each channel and/or needle of the applicator. The methods, systems, and computer readable media according to embodiments can improve target (e.g., prostate) delineation, enable accurate dose planning and delivery, and potentially enhance HDR treatment outcome.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a light field camera (3) for recording a hyperspectral light field (CLF). The system also comprises a light projector (4) for projecting a light field in visible light (PLF). The camera and the projector share a common optical axis. The projector projects a light field (PLF) based on the hyperspectral light field (CLF) captured by the light field camera.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system including a computer system programmed with software configured to perform the following steps: a) capturing at least one first view of a region of interest in a human body; b) capturing at least one second view of the region of interest; c) outlining the region of interest and at least one area outside the region of interest with the assistance of an operator; d) constructing a 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest utilizing the at least one first view and the at least one second view of the region of interest; and e) utilizing the 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest to determine at least one cryosurgical probe placement location.

Abstract: A method for image recognition of an instrument includes: obtaining an input image containing a to-be-recognized instrument; selecting from the input image a region-of-interest containing the to-be-recognized instrument; determining in a high-to-low order of priority values of instrument categories, whether the to-be-recognized instrument contained in the region-of-interest belongs to one of the instrument categories according to the region-of-interest and a respective one of plural groups of sample images; and increasing the priority value of the one of the instrument categories when it is determined that the to-be-recognized instrument belongs to the one of the instrument categories.

Abstract: A therapy system comprises a therapy module to direct a therapeutic action to a target along successive trajectories in a target zone that includes the target. A thermometry module is provided to measure temperature in a measurement field and to compute a thermal dose. The measurement field at least partially covers the target zone. A control module controls the therapy module to switch the therapeutic action to a next successive trajectory on the basis of the measured temperature or thermal dose. The successive trajectories are located inside of or outside of one another within the target zone. The therapeutic action comprises application of a focused ultrasound beam to the target. Temperature measurement is done on the basis of magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for computed tomography (CT) imaging to obtain an image from gated projection data, such as electrocardiographic gated projection data used in cardiac CT. The image reconstruction is performed using an iterative reconstruction method to minimize a cost function including a data-fidelity term (e.g., a system-matrix term) and a regularization term. The system-matrix term includes a weighted inner-product of the system-matrix equation, wherein the weighting matrix includes weighting values to correct the unequal data redundancy of the gated projection data.

Abstract: A system and method for planning a pathway through an anatomical luminal network of a patient including a computing device having at least one processor; a display device in communication with the computing device; and a user interface configured for display on the display device and configured to guide a user through a pathway planning procedure. The user interface includes a patient selection window configured to receive a user input to select a patient having CT image data on which to perform pathway planning; a target selection window configured to receive a user input to select at least one target from the CT image data; and an airway finder window configured to generate at least one pathway from the at least one target to an entry point of the anatomical luminal network in response to a user input.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product to determine radiation dose from radionuclides used to treat a patient in need thereof. The present invention allows users to visualize and understand the impact of radionuclide choice, distribution of activity in the cell, distribution of activity among the cells, cell dimensions, cell separation distance, cluster size, and radiobiological response parameters on the capacity to kill populations of cells. All of these parameters can play a substantial role in determining the surviving fraction of cells. Accordingly, this system, method and computer program product can assist in designing treatment plans for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals suited to individual needs.

Abstract: A robot guiding system employs a robot unit (10) and a control unit (20). The robot unit (10) includes an endoscope (12) for generating an intra-operative endoscopic image (14) of a blood vessel tree within an anatomical region, and a robot (11) for moving the endoscope (12) within the anatomical region. The control unit (20) includes an endoscope controller (22) for generating an endoscopic path within the anatomical region, wherein the endoscopic path is derived from a matching of a graphical representation of the intra-operative endoscopic image (14) of the blood vessel tree to a graphical representation of a pre-operative three-dimensional image (44) of the blood vessel tree. The control unit (20) further includes a robot controller (21) for commanding the robot (11) to move the endoscope (12) within the anatomical region in accordance with the endoscopic path.

Abstract: The present application is directed to the idea of using sampling techniques to propagate segmentation uncertainty in order to evaluate variability in radiation planning. A radiotherapy planning apparatus (10) creates diagnostic image data of a region of interest of a subject. Image data from other sources can also be used. The image data is segmented (44) and combined with previously imaged model data. Target measures such as dose volume histograms are produced for each of the segmentations of the image data. These measures are later combined into a statistical quantification of the target measure (FIG. 3). This information is presented (52) to the user to give the user possible outcomes of the radiotherapy plan, and, e.g., confidence levels in those outcomes.

Abstract: A method includes accessing image data representing tissue and identifying one or more features of the tissue indicated by the image data. A model is selected for the tissue based on the one or more identified features. The image data is segmented and, using the model, one or more anatomical landmarks of the tissue indicated by the segmented image data are identified.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, an extracting unit extracts mutually the same region of interest from each of a plurality of pieces of three-dimensional image data corresponding to mutually-different time phases. Further, a position determining unit determines, on the basis of feature points included in the pieces of three-dimensional image data, a position used for superimposing together the regions of interest extracted by the extracting unit from the pieces of three-dimensional image data, in substantially the same position of a subject. After that, a display controlling unit changes a display format of each of the regions of interest extracted by the extracting unit from the pieces of three-dimensional image data so as to be mutually different and causes a superimposed image to be displayed by superimposing the regions of interest together in the position determined by the position determining unit.

Abstract: A reference member for determining a position of an implant analog can comprise a trapezoidal body including a first side and a substantially parallel second side. The first side can define a first dimension and the second side can define a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension.

Abstract: A method for tracking vessels in image data includes receiving a plurality of image frames and annotating a target vessel in the plurality of image frames. A plurality of tracking targets associated with the target vessel is selected based on a first image frame included in the plurality of image frames. For each respective image frame, a set of tracking points are determined according to a tracking algorithm which includes: selecting a plurality of landmark hypothesis points for each tracking target in the respective frame based on a comparison with a previous image frame, constructing a directed acyclic graph from the plurality of landmark hypothesis points, and solving the directed acyclic graph to yield a plurality of optimal landmarks for the respective image frame.

Abstract: Thermal monitoring of tissue during a thermal therapy may include identifying an imaging plane bisection axis lying along at least one of a longitudinal axis of a thermal therapy instrument and a vector through a region of interest. The method may include identifying multiple thermal monitoring planes used in monitoring thermal therapy of the volume, where each thermal monitoring plane intersects the region of interest, where a first thermal monitoring plane intersects a second thermal monitoring plane at the imaging plane bisection axis, and the first thermal monitoring plane is offset from the second thermal monitoring plane by an angle of intersection. The method may include and performing thermal monitoring of the thermal therapy by obtaining magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained from the first monitoring plane and the second monitoring plane, and calculating, based on the images, temperature data of the volume.