| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080205726 | Method for providing extended possibilities when imaging a patient's heart - The invention relates to the use of 2D projection images which belong to a specific common heart phase. A 3D image data set can be used to generate a reference projection image for the same projection angle for each of the 2D projection images and a differential image can be derived from the reference projection image and 2D projection image. The differential images are back-projected and combined in one 3D differential image data set and, by using this, a deformed 3D image data set is obtained from the previously recorded 3D image data set. Iterations guarantee that the deformed 3D image data set ensues with the smallest possible distance from the 2D projection images for the existing common heart phase. Finally, a 3D image data set is available for a different heart phase other than the reference heart phase and the possibilities for imaging a patient's heart are extended. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080208040 | Method for three-dimensional localization of an instrument for an interventional access and associated device - The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional localization of an instrument for an interventional access, comprising: creating a three-dimensional image recording covering a region of the intervention and surroundings; determining local attenuation values of the three-dimensional image recording by x-ray absorption characteristics; recording a two-dimensional image recording covering the region of the intervention and surroundings; determining an x-ray intensity at an x-ray sensor arranged on the instrument; localizing the x-ray sensor in the two-dimensional image recording based on the x-ray intensity; summing the local attenuation values along a virtual x-ray path passing through the x-ray sensor in the three-dimensional image recording; identifying a point on the virtual x-ray path where the attenuation sum corresponds to the x-ray intensity at the x-ray sensor; and determining a three-dimensional position of the point corresponding to the three-dimensional position of the x-ray sensor on the instrument. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080212858 | Method for image registration processes and X-ray angiography system - Registration of preoperatively acquired MRI images of soft parts to intraoperatively acquired X-ray images of soft parts is not possible. The invention shows a way of nevertheless using such preoperatively acquired images for superimposition with 2D projections of the soft parts, taking an indirect route via 3D/3D registration of images of the spinal column. For this purpose, 3D image data sets of the spinal column must be obtained separately on the one hand using MRI and on the other using the X-ray imaging system so that the 3D/3D registration produces a mapping rule which then also applies to the preoperatively acquired images of the soft part if the soft part images and the spinal images are acquired without intervening change in the patient position in the MRI scanner. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080240338 | Evaluation method for mapping the myocardium of a patient - The invention relates to an evaluation method for mapping the myocardium of a patient, in particular the automated, functional evaluation, for instance the heart perfusion, in angiographic series with the steps: recording a series of angiographic recordings directly after administering a contrast agent to the patient; determining a reference area in an angiographic recording; determining a trend pattern of the contrast agent as a reference curve within the reference area from the series of angiographic recordings; obtaining trend patterns of the contrast agent from all areas of the angiographic recordings; determining the correlation between the trend patterns and the reference curve as a measure for the interrelationship between statistical variables, comparison with stored reference curve; comparison of the correlation coefficient with a threshold value; and reproduction of a marker identifying the myocardium. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080285720 | Method and device for determining a position of a part of a medical instrument - The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the position of a part of a medical instrument with an x-ray sensitive sensor in a plane of an x-ray image using an x-ray facility having an x-ray beam source and a device, which is assigned to the beam source and influences the x-ray radiation emitted by the x-ray beam source, wherein a spatial region, in which the medical instrument is located, is scanned with x-ray radiation and at the same time x-ray radiation is detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor with the device for influencing the x-ray radiation rotating at constant speed, the rotation being synchronized to the receipt of signals based on x-ray radiation with the x-ray-sensitive sensor and with the position of the part of the medical instrument in the plane of an x-ray image being determined based on the x-ray radiation detected with the x-ray-sensitive sensor. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090010516 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LEFT ATRIUM AND PULMONARY VEINS - A method for centering a left atrium and pulmonary veins at an isocenter of an imaging device is provided. The method includes positioning an injection catheter at a bifurcation of a pulmonary artery; obtaining an anterior or posterior flouroscopic image of area including and/or surrounding the left atrium and pulmonary veins; and moving the imaging device, patient support, or the combination thereof, such that the injection catheter and a spine of a patient are displayed in the fluoroscopic image. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090034817 | Method for correction of truncation artifacts in a reconstruction method for tomographic imaging with truncated projection data - There is described a method for correction of truncation artifacts in reconstructed tomographic images in a reconstruction method for tomographic images with truncated projection image data in the reconstructed tomographic images, in which divergent radiation is emitted from a radiographic source, an object to be examined is x-rayed with the divergent radiation in different projection directions, the radiation penetrating through the object to be examined is detected by a detector as projection images, with the data of the signal being arranged in a number of projection data rows and projection images detected by the detector being expanded line-by-line through extrapolation of the projection data rows. In this case the signal of a projection data row can be smoothed with a polynomial filter to reduce the noise component of the signal and the truncated proportion of the projection data row can be computed from the smoothed signal of the projection data row by means of an extrapolation method, with the extrapolation widths being derived from a number of rows. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090092225 | Method for the three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographic method - The invention relates to a method for a three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographic method, in which during one recording pass a series of projection recordings is registered by an imaging unit at different recording angles between a start position and an end position, it being possible to reconstruct three-dimensional image data from the projection recordings with the following steps: a) generation of tomosynthesis projection recordings along a tomosynthesis scanning path; b) interpolation of the data of the tomosynthesis projection recordings in accordance with an interpolation algorithm in order to generate a projection data set; c) use of a tomosynthesis reconstruction method on the projection data set in order to generate a tomosynthesis volume image; d) repetition of steps b) and c) for all times of interest, and e) display of tomosynthesis representations from the tomosynthesis volume images. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090092308 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTOMATIC ESTIMATION OF ARTERIAL INPUT FUNCTION FOR EVALUATION OF BLOOD FLOW - A system and method of determining hemodynamic parameters of a patient is described. A background image data set is obtained prior to the administration of a contrast agent. A series of image data sets is obtained during the first passage of the bolus through a parenchymal volume. The pre-contrast-agent image is subtracted from image data sets obtained during the first passage of the contrast agent bolus, so that the amount of contrast agent in the volume may be determined. The time series of the amount of contrast agent is computed to determine the arterial input function (AIF) which may be used to determine a tissue impulse response, and hemodynamic parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT). | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090205403 | Calibration of an instrument location facility with an imaging apparatus - A method is proposed for calibrating an instrument location facility with an imaging apparatus. The instrument location apparatus and the imaging apparatus are synchronized temporally with one another. According to such synchronization at least three points of the position of a medical instrument relative to a tracking coordinate system of the instrument location apparatus and/or relative to an image coordinate system of the imaging apparatus are measured simultaneously both by the instrument location apparatus and by the imaging apparatus. The instrument and/or the imaging apparatus are moved relative to one another between the measurements. The measured points parameterize a predetermined transformation rule for mapping the tracking coordinate system onto the image coordinate system. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090252287 | Operating method for a swiveling polyplanar imaging system for time-resolved imaging of an object being examined - An operating method for a polyplanar imaging system for time-resolved imaging of an object is provided. First and second data records are recorded at a fan angle β from different angular positions by a first and second imaging planes arranged at an offset angle γ relative to each other and swiveled through an angle of at least φ=180°+β. A third data record is created by selecting projection images from the first data record beginning from a starting angle α and from the second data record so that the third data record covers an angular range of at least φ. Three-dimensional images are reconstructed based on the third data record. The starting angle α is varied for continuously creating the third data record until α has attained its final value. The contrast of projection images in the third data record or of three-dimensional images is evaluated. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090252378 | Operating method for an imaging system for the time-resolved mapping of an iteratively moving examination object - The invention relates to an operating method for an imaging system for the time-resolved mapping of an iteratively moving examination object. First recordings of the object are generated by the imaging system from various angles while simultaneously recording a phase signal. Multiple static 3D-image data sets corresponding to a sequence of defined phases are reconstructed from the first recordings. Three-dimensional motion fields are calculated from the 3D-image data sets, by which two 3D-image data sets are mapped onto one another. Second recordings of the object are generated by the imaging system from various angles while simultaneously recording a phase signal. 3D-image data sets from the second recordings in a previously determined reference phase of the phase signal using the motion fields is generated which is a sequence of motion-compensated 3D-image data sets. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090326373 | Method for assisting with percutaneous interventions - The present invention relates to a method for assisting with percutaneous interventions, wherein 2D x-ray images of an object region are recorded before the intervention using a C-arm x-ray system or a robot-based x-ray system at different projection angles and 3D x-ray image data of the object region is reconstructed from the 2D x-ray recordings. One or more 2D or 3D ultrasound images are recorded before and/or during the intervention using an external ultrasound system and registered with the 3D image data. The 2D or 3D ultrasound images are then overlaid with the 3D image data record or a target region segmented therefrom or displayed next to one another in the same perspective. The method allows a puncture or biopsy to be monitored with a low level of radiation. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100014629 | Method and apparatus for setting a dynamically adjustable position of an imaging system - The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for setting a dynamically adjustable position of an imaging system for providing an optimum view onto a moving object during a medical intervention. A time-resolved at least three-dimensional data record of the moving object is generated. A position of the imaging system for each period of time is determined from the time-resolved data record from which the optimum view onto a structure of interest of the moving object is produced and automatically setting a calculated position of the imaging system in real-time so that the optimum view onto the structure of interest can be shown at any time. Optionally prior to determining the position of the imaging system, a structure of interest of the moving object can be segmented with this structure being segmented for each period of time from the time-resolved data record. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100016712 | Method and Device for Visually Assisting a Catheter Application - A method and a device for visually assisting a catheter application on the heart of a patient using an image of the patient obtained by a C-arm X-ray device and using electroanatomical mapping data of the patient obtained by an electromagnetic position detection system and mapping system. The C-arm X-ray device and the electromagnetic position detection system and mapping system are calibrated in relation to each other, by determining a co-ordinate transformation between a co-ordinate system assigned to the C-arm x-ray device and/or a co-ordinate system assigned to the image generated by the C-arm X-ray device and a co-ordinate system assigned to the electromagnetic position detection system and mapping system. The position of the patient is determined during the detection of the image and/or during the detection of the electroanatomic mapping-data and is at least indirectly assigned to the image and/or the electroanatomic mapping-data. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100020926 | METHOD FOR REPRESENTING INTERVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTS IN A 3D DATA SET OF AN ANATOMY TO BE EXAMINED AS WELL AS A REPRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD - The invention relates to a method for presenting interventional instruments in a 3D data set of an anatomy to be treated. A 3D data set of the anatomy is recorded before introduction of an interventional instrument. Once the interventional instrument has been applied, the spatial position of the instrument is determined by x-ray fluoroscopy from images created at two different angulations. A 3D model of the instrument is formed from the x-ray images. The 3D model of the instrument is fused with the 3D data set of the anatomy. A 3D hologram is reproduced from the fused 3D data set. The 3D hologram is repeatedly reproduced in real time to follow the application of the instrument in the presentation. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100027751 | Method for the production of angiography recordings - The invention relates to a method for the production of angiography recordings. First, a mask image is recorded with a first modality. A contrast medium is injected after the first recording. A control image is recorded with a second modality after the injection of the contrast medium. A spreading of the contrast medium is determined based on the images and the control of subsequent recordings is analyzed. A recording criterion is checked to determine whether the recording criterion has been achieved. If it has not been achieved, the control image is repeatedly recorded for repeatedly determining the spreading of the contrast medium. If it has been achieved, a contrast image is recorded with the first modality and the mask image and the contrast image are processed and analyzed. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100049011 | Mapping Catheter as Well as Mapping Catheter Apparatus and Associated Method - The invention relates to a mapping catheter for determination of data of an area of an organ embodied as a flat surface, especially of the heart, to be presented graphically, with at least one thermosensor essentially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mapping catheter for determination of temperature-related data which is arranged at a tip of the mapping catheter being provided in the distal area of the mapping catheter for introduction into the organ. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100104164 | Method and device for obtaining a volume data set of a mobile tissue or organ of a patient - A method and a device for obtaining a volume data set of a mobile tissue or organ of a patient by a C-arm X-ray device are provided. An electromagnetic sensor of a position detection system is arranged indirectly on the tissue or organ. The X-ray device obtains a plurality of X-ray projections from the tissue or organ from various projection directions. A first method consists of reconstructing a volume data set from the X-ray projections, in which the electromagnetic sensor adopts a position characterizing a displacement phase of the tissue or organ. A second method consists of reconstructing a volume data set from the X-ray projections captured when the electromagnetic sensor was located in a position characterizing a displacement phase of the tissue or organ. A third method does not capture an X-ray projection for the reconstruction if the electromagnetic sensor is located in a position characterizing a displacement phase. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100239148 | Method and System for Automatic Aorta Segmentation - A method and system for aorta segmentation in a 3D volume, such as a C-arm CT volume is disclosed. The aortic root is detected in the 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL) based segmentation. The aortic arch is detected in the 3D volume using MSL based segmentation. The ascending aorta is tracked from the aortic root to the aortic arch in the 3D volume, and the descending aorta is tracked from the aortic arch in the 3D volume. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100272315 | Automatic Measurement of Morphometric and Motion Parameters of the Coronary Tree From A Rotational X-Ray Sequence - Automatic measurement of morphometric and motion parameters of a coronary target includes extracting reference frames from input data of a coronary target at different phases of a cardiac cycle, extracting a three-dimensional centerline model for each phase of the cardiac cycle based on the references frames and projection matrices of the coronary target, tracking a motion of the coronary target through the phases based on the three-dimensional centerline models, and determining a measurement of morphologic and motion parameters of the coronary target based on the motion. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100329534 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF X-RAY IMAGES FOR A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A method and an X-ray image acquisition system for the acquisition of X-ray images of a region of interest of an examination object from a multiplicity of angles of view for an 3-D image reconstruction are provided. The X-ray image acquisition system comprises an X-ray focus and an X-ray detector, which can be separately positioned and oriented relative to each other. The X-ray focus is moved along a combination of straight line segments and/or arc segments for the acquisition of X-ray images. The X-ray detector is oriented relative to the X-ray focus and moved in such a way that the region of interest is projected completely onto the X-ray detector upon each image acquisition. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110046725 | METHOD OF IMAGING FOR HEART VALVE IMPLANT PROCEDURE - A method as a workflow for imaging for a heart valve implant procedure includes positioning the patient and an articulated imaging apparatus relative to one another, inducing rapid ventricular pacing in the patient, and imaging a region of the patient's heart to obtain image date for a three-dimensional image. The three-dimensional data is used to construct a three-dimensional image of the region of the patient's heart an the three-dimensional image is displayed for use in the implanting of the replacement heart valve. Optional steps may include obtaining a real time two-dimensional image of the patient's heart and superimposing the real time two-dimensional image with the constructed three dimensional image. The replacement valve is moved into position in the patient's heart during rapid ventricular pacing and breath hold using the superimposed two-dimensional and three-dimensional image information. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110052026 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Angulation of C-Arm Image Acquisition System for Aortic Valve Implantation - A method and system for determining an angulation of a C-arm image acquisition system for aortic valve implantation is disclosed. One or more landmarks of the aortic root is detected in a 3D image. A plane representing an aortic annulus direction is defined in the 3D image based on the detected anatomic landmarks. A viewing angle is determined that is perpendicular to the defined plane. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110075794 | Method and Device for Generating a Three-Dimensional X-Ray Imaging - A method is provided for quickly and simply generating a three-dimensional tomographic x-ray imaging. Tomosynthetic projection images are recorded from different recording angles along a tomosynthetic scanning path and three-dimensional image data is reconstructed from the tomosynthetic projection images. The tomosynthetic projection images are recorded by a tomosynthetic x-ray device with a plurality of x-ray sources arranged on a holder at a distance from one another. Each projection image is recorded by a different x-ray source being fixed in one place during recording the tomosynthetic projection images. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075798 | Method for correcting truncated projection data - A method for correcting truncated projection data of a rotation for a reconstruction technique for computed tomography scans with truncated projection data in the computed tomography images produced by a C-arm is proposed. At least one truncated projection is recorded. The truncated portions prior to acquisition of the rotation for the at least one truncated projection is captured. The truncated projection and the truncated portions are assembled into at least one complete projection. Truncated projection data is acquired during the rotation. The truncated data is estimated based on a model of the patient geometry from the at least one complete projection. A reconstruction technique is performed on the basis of the acquired and the estimated data. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075804 | X-ray imaging method and x-ray imaging system - A method for recording an x-ray image with an x-ray imaging system having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector is provided. The x-ray source has a plurality of x-ray emitters arranged alongside one another. Each x-ray emitter is assigned to a part area of the x-ray detector. The x-ray beam generated by the x-ray emitter is collimated onto the assigned part area. A first x-ray emitter is activated for emitting a first x-ray beam onto a first part area and image data of the first part area is read out. Subsequently a further x-ray emitter for emitting a further x-ray beam onto a further part area of is activated and image data of the further part area is read out. The steps are repeated until image data for all part areas of the x-ray detector is read out. The read out image data is combined into an x-ray image. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075809 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECORDING A PROJECTION DATASET OF AN OBJECT USING A PLURALITY OF X-RAY SOURCES - A method for recording a projection dataset of a object to be recorded using a plurality of X-ray sources is provided, which X-ray sources are spaced apart from one another on average by an angle α relative to an isocenter. A plurality of projection images from different recording directions are recorded in succession while activating the corresponding X-ray sources. Two X-ray sources are activated in succession having a spacing of at least 2 α relative to the isocenter. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075814 | MEDICAL X-RAY ACQUISITION SYSTEM - A medical x-ray acquisition system has an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, the x-ray source having at least one field emission radiator with at least one field emission cathode. The field emission cathode can be formed by a nanostructured material with carbon nanotubes. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110085637 | Reconstruction of 3D image datasets from x-ray and cone-beam data - A method for producing a 3D image dataset of an object with an imaging system having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector is provided. A series of two-dimensional arrays of cone beam data from the detector is acquired while the source moves along a substantially planar trajectory around the object. The trajectory is described by a series of source points serially numbered by a counter parameter. The cone beam data is differentiated with respect to the counter parameter at a fixed ray direction to produce a derivative of the cone beam data. The derivative is filtered with a Hilbert-like filter to produce filtered cone beam data. The acquired or the filtered cone beam data is multiplied with a redundancy weighting function. The cone beam data is back-projected to reconstruct a 3D image dataset. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110096964 | Method and System for Automatic Extraction of Personalized Left Atrium Models - A method and system for automatic extraction of personalized left atrium models is disclosed. A left atrium chamber body is segmented from a 3D image volume. At least one pulmonary venous ostium is detected on the segmented left atrium chamber body. At least one pulmonary vein trunk connected to the left atrium chamber body is segmented based on the detected pulmonary venous ostia. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110096969 | Method and System for Shape-Constrained Aortic Valve Landmark Detection - A system and method for performing shape-constrained aortic valve landmark detection using 3D medical images is provided. A rigid global shape defining initial positions of a plurality of aortic valve landmarks is detected within a 3D image. Each of the plurality of aortic valve landmarks is detected based on the initial positions. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110153286 | Method and System for Virtual Percutaneous Valve Implantation - A method and system for virtual percutaneous valve implantation is disclosed. A patient-specific anatomical model of a heart valve is estimated based on 3D cardiac medical image data and an implant model representing a valve implant is virtually deployed into the patient-specific anatomical model of the heart valve. A library of implant models, each modeling geometrical properties of a corresponding valve implant, is maintained. The implant models maintained in the library are virtually deployed into the patient specific anatomical model of the heart valve to select an implant type and size and deployment location and orientation for percutaneous valve implantation. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110164035 | METHOD OF MOTION COMPENSATION FOR TRANS-CATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION | 07-07-2011 |
