Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080281218 | System and Method for Selecting End of Diastole and End of Systole Frames - A method and apparatus for automatically selecting an end of diastole image frame and an end of systole image frame for cardiac analysis. In the method and apparatus, a plurality of image frames of a heart having a contrast medium injected into the heart and an electrocardiogram (ECG) curve of the heart are obtained. Candidate image frames are identified in the plurality of image frames that correspond to a first predetermined point on the ECG curve of the heart associated with the end of diastole. An end of diastole image frame is selected from the candidate image frames. An end of systole image frame is then identified and selected from the remaining one of the plurality of image frames. | 11-13-2008 |
20080298652 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PREVIEWING PREVIOUS AND FORWARD FRAMES OF A SELECTED END OF DIASTOLE OR END OF SYSTOLE FRAME CANDIDATE - A method and system for viewing a series of medical image frames. The method and system displays a candidate medical image frame selected from the series of medical image frames, in a first portion of a display screen of a user interface; displays, in a second portion of the display screen of the user interface, a first alternate candidate medical image frame of the series of medical image frames which precedes or follows the candidate medical image frame in the series of medical image frames; and displays the first alternate candidate medical image frame in the first portion of the display screen when the first alternate candidate medical image frame displayed in the second portion of the display screen is selected, via the user interface, for display on the first portion of the display screen. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301384 | Logging and Storing of a Sequence of Image Frame Data for Optimal Recovery After Power Failure - A method of logging and storing of a sequence of acquired X-ray image frame data in an X-ray imaging lab includes logging and updating image frame data related information in a non-volatile memory on a real-time basis upon completion of storage of each image frame data and deleting the logged information upon completion of storage of the sequence of X-ray image frames. | 12-04-2008 |
20090110252 | System for visualizing regions of Interest in medical images - A system for visualizing vascular fluid flow concentration includes at least one repository including a plurality of stored angiography scenes, an angiography scene comprises a plurality of individual images of a vascular structure successively acquired over a time period. A user interface control device enables a user to determine, (a) a duration and (b) a start time relative to a start time of the time period, of a window of interest within the time period. A control processor is electrically coupled to the user interface control device and the at least one repository. Control processor automatically assigns a unique visual indicator representing contrast flow of fluid through vessels to individual images within the user determined duration of the time period. A display processor, electrically coupled to the control processor and the user interface control device and at least one repository, generates data representing at least one display image comprising a composite image including individual images within the user determined duration of the time period having a unique assigned visual indicator. | 04-30-2009 |
20090180591 | Adaptive Medical Image and Mask Data Processing System - A system and method are disclosed for allowing the user to change the patient table position or x-ray detector position during an angiographic roadmapping procedure while still displaying a properly registered roadmap display by adapting the mask image to the new position. A system and method are further disclosed for allowing the user to change the field of view size (i.e., zoom factor) of the x-ray detector during an angiographic roadmapping procedure by matching the size of the existing mask to the live image. | 07-16-2009 |
20090185730 | Automated Image Data Subtraction System Suitable for Use in Angiography - An image data subtraction system suitable for use in Angiography or other medical procedure enhances vessel visualization. An imaging system subtracts data representing a first mask image from data representing temporally sequential individual images of patient vessels to provide first digitally subtracted images. The sequential individual images encompass introduction of a contrast agent. An image processor automatically, processes the data representing the first digitally subtracted images to identify a first image indicating presence of the contrast agent and a second image preceding the first image by determining a measure representing a net presence of contrast agent in an individual digitally subtracted image. The second image is substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of the contrast agent. The image processor automatically, selects the second image as a second mask image and subtracts data representing the second mask image from the data representing images of the temporally sequential individual images to provide second digitally subtracted images. A user interface presents the second digitally subtracted images for display while the patient is undergoing a medical procedure. | 07-23-2009 |
20090257631 | System for Generation of a Composite Medical Image of Vessel Structure - A system reduces artifacts introduced by patient or table motion during generation of a composite image visualizing contrast agent flow. A system for generation of a composite medical image of vessel structure, includes an imaging device for acquiring multiple sequential images of vessel structure of a portion of patient anatomy in the presence of a contrast agent. An imaging processor aligns individual images of the multiple sequential images with a single particular mask image containing background detail of the portion of patient anatomy in the absence of contrast agent. The imaging processor forms data representing multiple digitally subtracted images by subtracting data representing the single particular mask image from aligned individual images of the multiple sequential images. The imaging processor associates different individual images of the multiple digitally subtracted images with different corresponding visual attributes and combines data representing the digitally subtracted images to form a composite image. A reproduction device presents the composite image to a user. | 10-15-2009 |
20100053209 | System for Processing Medical Image data to Provide Vascular Function Information - A system creates a visually (e.g., color) coded 3D image that depicts 3D vascular function information including transit time of blood flow through the anatomy. A system combines 3D medical image data with vessel blood flow information. The system uses at least one repository for storing, 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels, in the presence of a contrast agent and 2D image data representing a 2D X-ray image through the imaging volume in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor uses the 3D image data and the 2D image data in deriving blood flow related information for the vessels. A display processor provides data representing a composite single displayed image including a vessel structure provided by the 3D image data and the derived blood flow related information. | 03-04-2010 |
20100158341 | System for Automatically Generating a Mask for Digital Subtraction Angiography - A system automatically generates a mask image. An interface receives a signal from an X-ray imaging device indicating X-ray radiation dosage for performing imaging is substantially stable. An image processor automatically processes data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of a portion of patient anatomy to identify, a first image comprising an image in the multiple temporally sequential individual images determined in response to the received signal. The image processor identifies a second image substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of a contrast agent successively followed by an image indicating presence of a contrast agent, by comparing a difference between measures representative of luminance content of the second image and the image indicating presence of a contrast agent, with a threshold. The image processor also identifies a set of images comprising the first and second images and any sequential intervening images. An image data processor automatically averages the set of images for use as a mask image. | 06-24-2010 |
20100172474 | METHOD FOR PIXEL SHIFT CALCULATION IN DIGITAL SUBTRACTION ANGIOGRAPHY AND X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM FOR GENERATING IMAGES IN DIGITAL SUBTRACTION ANGIOGRAPHY - The invention relates to an X-ray diagnostic imaging system for generating images in digital subtraction angiography and a method carried out therewith, comprising the following steps:
| 07-08-2010 |
20100259550 | Method of Visualization of Contrast Intensity Change Over Time in a DSA Image - A system provides a display image enabling a user to visualize and compare blood flow characteristics over time at selected points in an angiographic X-ray image. A system and user interface enables user interaction with a medical vessel structure image to determine individual vessel blood flow characteristics. The system includes a user interface cursor control device and a display processor for generating data representing a single composite display image. The composite display image includes, a first image area showing a patient vessel structure and contrast agent flow through the patient vessel structure over a first period of time and a second image area showing a graph of contrast agent concentration in a particular portion of the vessel structure over a second period of time. The particular portion of the vessel structure is selected in response to user command using the cursor control device. | 10-14-2010 |
20110034801 | System for Processing Angiography and Ultrasound Image Data - A system provides a single composite image including multiple medical images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using corresponding multiple different types of imaging device. A display processor generates data representing a single composite display image including, a first image area showing a first image of a portion of patient anatomy acquired using a first type of imaging device, a second image area showing a second image of the portion of patient anatomy acquired using a second type of imaging device different to the first type. The first and second image areas include first and second markers respectively. The first and second markers identify an estimated location of the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy in the first and second images respectively. A user interface enables a user to move at least one of, (a) the first marker in the first image and (b) the second marker in the second image, to correct the estimated location so the first and second markers identify the same corresponding anatomical position in the portion of patient anatomy. | 02-10-2011 |
20110058653 | System for Medical Image Processing, Manipulation and Display - A system automatically adaptively adjusts an enlarged region of interest presented as a zoomed image on a secondary live display in response to X-ray filter (e.g., collimator) adjustment. An X-ray medical image user interface system includes one or more displays for displaying medical images. At least one display concurrently presents, a first image window including an X-ray image overview of a portion of patient anatomy and a second image window including an enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview. A collimator position detector provides a collimator signal in response to a detected collimator position. An image data processor automatically identifies the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview in response to the collimator signal. A display processor generates data representing an image comprising the enlarged region of interest of the X-ray image overview in response to the identification of the enlarged region of interest within the X-ray image overview. | 03-10-2011 |
20110170662 | System for Adjusting Angiographic X-ray Imaging Parameters based on Image Content - An Angiographic X-ray imaging system includes a detector for automatically detecting a transition between different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels of a portion of patient anatomy, in response to pixel luminance content of at least one image of a sequence of acquired images of the portion of patient anatomy. An X-ray imaging device uses the detector and information associating different sets of X-ray imaging device settings with corresponding different phases of contrast enhanced blood flow in vessels for automatically sequentially acquiring images in different phases using different imaging settings, in response to detection of transitions between different phases. | 07-14-2011 |
20110235885 | System for Providing Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Medical Images - A method generates a two dimensional (2D) medical image through a three dimensional (3D) imaged volume of patient anatomy at a desired position, by storing 3D image data representing a 3D imaging volume including vessels in the presence of a contrast agent. The 3D image data comprises, data identifying multiple voxels representing multiple individual volume image element luminance values and luminance distribution data for individual voxels of a vessel in the 3D image data. For multiple individual voxels of a 2D image, the method determines composite luminance distribution data of an individual voxel in the 2D image by combining luminance distribution data of the 3D image data of multiple identified voxels substantially lying on a projection line from a source point to the individual voxel and generating data representing the 2D image using the determined composite luminance distribution data of the multiple individual voxels. | 09-29-2011 |
20110249029 | System for Manipulating a Detected Object within an Angiographic X-ray Acquisition - A medical image viewing system comprises an image data processor. The image data processor automatically identifies movement of a particular object within a first image of a sequence of images, relative to the corresponding particular object in a different reference image in the sequence of images. The image data processor automatically determines a transform to apply to data representing the first image to keep the particular object appearing substantially stationary in the first image relative to the corresponding particular object in the reference image, in response to the identified movement. The image data processor stores data, representing the determined transform and associating the determined transform with the first image. A user interface applies the transform acquired from storage to data representing the first image to present the first image in a display showing the particular object substantially stationary relative to the reference image, in response to a user command. | 10-13-2011 |
20110311113 | System for Adjustment of Image Data Acquired Using a Contrast Agent to Enhance Vessel Visualization for Angiography - A system provides a roadmap image displaying a vessel structure using an imaging system to acquire data representing multiple temporally sequential individual images of vessels of a region of interest of patient anatomy in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor generates multiple sequential cumulative images corresponding to the individual images and an individual current cumulative image corresponds to a current image of the individual images. The current cumulative image comprises cumulative pixel luminance values and an individual cumulative pixel luminance value is generated from luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual cumulative pixel and present in images comprising a subset of the individual images. The subset comprises contiguous images of the temporally sequential individual images acquired preceding the current image and including the current image. An output processor provides the multiple sequential cumulative images to a destination. | 12-22-2011 |
20120114215 | Data Management System for Use in Angiographic X-ray Imaging - A data management system automatically manages image buffers to produce images for angiography using a first memory portion, a second memory portion and an image data processor. The first memory portion stores first image frame data representing minimum luminance values of individual pixels of a sequence of medical images. The second memory portion stores second image frame data comprising a difference between the minimum luminance values and corresponding maximum luminance values. The image data processor processes data representing an acquired X-ray image frame of a catheterized vessel using a stored frame of maximum or minimum pixel luminance values and the second image frame data to provide an image with enhanced visualization of a catheter in a vessel. | 05-10-2012 |
20120134567 | System for Frame Selection for Optimal Registration of a Multi-frame Dataset - An Angiographic X-ray imaging system provides enhanced image feature visualization. At least one repository includes data representing a sequence of X-ray images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired over a time interval and signal data representing electrical activity of the heart of the patient over the time interval. An image data processor determines for individual images of the sequence of X-ray images, characteristics of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image. The characteristics comprise at least one of, (a) a peak to peak value of a portion of the signal data associated with a corresponding image and (b) an average value of a portion of the signal data associated with the corresponding image. The image data processor selects a set of images exclusive of particular images from the sequence of X-ray images in response to the determined characteristics and generates an averaged image from the set of images. | 05-31-2012 |
20120201439 | Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Motion Compensated Imaging System - A motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image processing system includes an interface for acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels. An image data processor automatically, (a) determines a first shift vector for a first image of the sequence for compensating for shift between the first image and a first reference image of the sequence, (b) applies the determined first shift vector to the first image of the sequence to produce a shifted image, (c) subtracts the first reference image from the shifted image to produce a subtracted image enhancing vessel structure, (d) determines a second shift vector for compensating for shift between the subtracted image and a second reference image and (e) shifts content of the subtracted image relative to the second reference image in response to the second shift vector, to provide a shifted subtracted image enhancing and aligning vessel structure. | 08-09-2012 |
20130094734 | System for Comparison of Medical Images - A system automatically processes different medical image sequences facilitating comparison of the sequences in adjacent respective display areas. An image data processor, identifies first and second mask images of first and second image sequences respectively as images preceding introduction of contrast agent and determines a translational shift between the first and second mask images. The image data processor transforms data representing individual images of at least one of the first image sequence and the second image sequence in response to the determined translational shift to reduce mis-alignment of the individual images of the first image sequence relative to the individual images of the second image sequence. A display presents first and second image sequences corrected for mis-alignment, in substantially adjacent display areas to facilitate user comparison. | 04-18-2013 |
20130109958 | System for Orientation and Display of Ultrasound Imaging Data | 05-02-2013 |
20130216119 | System for Suppressing Vascular Structure in Medical Images - A system generates medical image data representing smaller vessels including capillaries of a region of patient anatomy. An image data processor identifies pixels of larger vessels in individual images of difference images where the larger vessels have a size exceeding a predetermined threshold size. The image data processor generates an enhanced visualization small vessel image comprising substantially peak luminance values of individual pixels exclusive of pixels of the identified larger vessels. A peak luminance value of an individual pixel is generated in response to a peak luminance value of luminance values of pixels, spatially corresponding to the individual pixel and present in images comprising the plurality of temporally sequential individual difference images. An output processor outputs substantially peak luminance values as a vessel image. | 08-22-2013 |
20130281832 | System for Coregistration of Optical Coherence Tomography and Angiographic X-ray Image Data - A system comprises a catheter including a lens, for acquiring optical coherence tomography images within the vessel of interest as the catheter is being retracted from the vessel in the presence of contrast agent. An X-ray imaging system interface receives a first set of X-ray images of an anatomical region including the vessel of interest containing the catheter. The first set of X-ray images are acquired at points corresponding to the particular points within a heart cycle, while the catheter is stationary in the vessel, in response to a heart electrical activity representative signal and in the absence of contrast agent. An image data processor associates the received X-ray images and corresponding optical coherence tomography image data derived at corresponding time points within respective acquisition heart cycles. | 10-24-2013 |
20130307869 | System for Display of Images Using Extended Greyscale Bit-depth on Standard Display Devices - A system enhances reduced resolution grey scale luminance data for display on a monitor. An interface receives a pixel grey scale luminance value represented by a first number of bits exceeding a display monitor input bit length. A data processor indicates a difference comprising the number of bits. In response to the difference, the data processor derives R, G, B pixel luminance values by adjusting one or more of the R, G, B pixel luminance values to provide corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values representing the grey scale luminance value and at least one of the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values is different from remaining ones of R, G, B pixel luminance values. The data processor outputs the corrected R, G, B pixel luminance values for display on R, G, B channels of the monitor. | 11-21-2013 |
20140133731 | System for Viewing Vasculature and Perfuse Tissue - A system and method includes reception of a mask x-ray image of a patient volume, reception of a plurality of sequential x-ray images of the patient volume including a contrast medium, subtraction of the mask x-ray image from each of the plurality of sequential x-ray images to generate a plurality of sequential x-ray difference images, filtering of each of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on one or more filter parameters to generate a plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images, combination of each of the plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images with a corresponding one of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on a weight to generate a plurality of combined sequential x-ray images, and display of the plurality of combined sequential x-ray images sequentially. | 05-15-2014 |
20140219527 | System for Frame Selection for Optimal Registration of a Multi-frame Dataset - A system and method includes data representing a sequence of X-ray images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired over a time interval and signal data representing electrical activity of the heart of the patient over the time interval, determination of a score value for each image of said sequence of X-ray images, selection of a set of images from said sequence of X-ray images based on the determined score values, the set of images excluding one or more images of said sequence of X-ray images, and generation of an averaged image from said set of images. | 08-07-2014 |