Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Albert Louw Faber

Peter Lex Alving

Niels Nijhof

Johannes Henricus Maria Joosten

Petrus Cornelus Adrianus Vogels

The present invention relates to supporting an interventional procedure involving a device, such as a cardiovascular procedure. First and second image data acquired using different imaging apparatus, for example X-ray and ultrasound image data, are co-registered. A device is firstly identified in 2D X-ray images; corresponding identification information is then used to generate a view from 3D ultrasound image data that includes a cross-section of the device to be identified subsequently. Following the identification, a 3D position and orientation of the device are available. Such information may advantageously be used in setting up optimal ultrasound views for image-based guidance of the ongoing procedure.

Image-based device tracking

An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector and an exposure control system. The exposure control system is arranged to control the X-ray source so as to perform a test exposure at a low X-ray dose and to perform an X-ray exposure at a higher X-ray dose. The X-ray detector applies a control signal resulting from the test exposure to the exposure control system and the X-ray source is adjusted on the basis of this control signal. The X-ray exposure produces an X-ray image and the X-ray detector supplies an image signal representing this X-ray image. The exposure control system is arranged to adjust the X-ray detector to a low spatial resolution during the test exposure and to a high spatial resolution during the X-ray exposure. The X-ray detector preferably includes a sensor matrix having sensor elements arranged in columns and rows. The spatial resolution is adjusted by deriving the control signal and the image signal from large and small groups of sensor elements, respectively.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Albert Louw Faber