Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

U.S. Philips Corporation

U.S. Phillips Corporation

Reiner H Koppe

Erhard P Klotz

Erhard Paul Artur Klotz

Rolf E Linde

Paul R Haaker

Johannes Catharina Antonius Op De Beek

John Op De Beek

Volker Rasche

Michael Harald Kuhn

Hermann Schomberg

Karsten P Hansen

Erhard Paul Arthur Klotz

Hans Aerts

Holger Moller

For visualizing a limited part of a 3D medical image-point-related data set, Selectively, a geometrically selected part of the data set is suppressed and an image rendered based on any non-suppressed part of the data set. The selected geometrically selected part includes a first selection containing all points associated to a nearer region with respect to a first clipping plane, and all points associated to a farther region with respect to a second clipping plane, respectively. The image rendered thereby is based on an intermediate region between the first clipping plane and the second clipping plane.

Method and apparatus for visualizing a limited part of a 3D medical image-point-related data set, through basing a rendered image on an intermediate region between first and second clipping planes, and including spectroscopic viewing of such region

A method is disclosed for generating images of a human or animal body on the basis of 3D-reconstructions from 3D-XRAY or 3D-Computer Tomography measurements, which bodies comprise both natural tissue and one or more high-density objects. The method comprises the steps of executing the measurements, distinguishing the one or more high-density objects and executing a separating procedure thereon for generating an improved image of regions of the natural tissue. In particular, the method comprises the following steps: applying a ramp filter on the various projection measurements to single out the one or more high-density objects; segmenting the singled-out one or more high-density objects into a separate 3D reconstruction; suppressing the reconstructed one or more high-density objects from the original projection measurements; and segmenting said projection measurements without the suppressed one or more high-density objects.

Method and apparatus for generating an improved image of natural tissue in reconstructing body images from 3D-measurements

A method and a device provide for the registration of two 3D image data sets of an object to be examined. The object to be examined is provided with a plurality of markers In order to enable a registration to be carried out, the positions of the markers in the 3D image data sets are first determined in a co-ordinate system associated with the relevant 3D image data set. The distances between the markers and/or the angles formed between lines which intersect in a marker and extend through two further markers are then determined. Finally, a transformation rule for the transformation of one of the 3D image data sets to the co-ordinate system of the other 3D image data set is determined.

Method and device for the registration of two 3D image data sets

For imaging a 3D data set the method of the invention comprises the following steps in succession: acquisition of images, reconstructing a 3D data set, followed by visualization, the reconstruction being started with a limited initial range of orientations around the direction of a local midprojection from a starting point so as to be visualized, the acquisition being continued during visualization and the reconstruction being updated in accordance with the additional acquisition obtained up to a final result. In particular, the selected part comprises a first visualization covering a range of from about 40&#xb0; to 60&#xb0;, with a midprojection at about from 20&#xb0; to 30&#xb0;.

Method and apparatus for visualizing a 3D data set

A method and system of forming an X-ray layer image of an object being examined by an X-ray device having an X-ray source and an X-ray detector is described. At least one of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can be displaced in an angular range around the object in order that X-ray projection images are acquired from different directions. When forming only a single X-ray layer image, or a plurality of X-ray layer images of parallel layers of the object, the time required for the acquisition of the X-ray projection images is notably reduced by forming the X-ray layer image directly from the X-ray projection images, where the resulting X-ray layer image is situated in a plane which extends essentially perpendicularly to the bisector of the angular range of displacement. The angular range of displacement can be less then 180&deg;. The system and method is notably applicable to a C-arm X-ray device, in which the angular range can be chosen at will.

Tomosynthesis in a limited angular range

An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector and is arranged to provide a series of projection images at respective orientations of the X-ray source ( ) and the X-ray detector ( ) relative to a predetermined frame of reference. The orientations of the projection images are calibrated relative to this frame of reference. A basic three-dimensional data set ( ) is reconstructed from the projection images. A number of directions of observations ( ) are calibrated relative to the same frame of reference. One or more additional X-ray images ( ) are formed for the calibrated directions of observation, that is, preferably at successive instants in time. A dynamic series of three-dimensional data sets is formed by updating the basic three-dimensional data set by means of the additional X-ray images.

X-ray examination apparatus for reconstructing a three-dimensional data set from projection images

The invention relates to an anti-scatter grid for an X-ray device which serves to reduce scattered radiation generated in an object to be examined and includes a plurality of absorber laminations for the absorption of the scattered radiation and a channel medium which is transparent to X-rays and arranged between the absorber laminations. In order to enable notably simple and precise manufacture of such an anti-scatter grid while the primary radiation is attenuated as little as possible and scattered radiation is attenuated as much as possible, in accordance with the invention a non-elastic high-resistance foam, notably a polymethacrylimide high-resistance foam, is used as the channel medium. The invention also relates to a collimator, for example, for a single-photon emitter or a positron emitter, in which a non-elastic high-resistance foam is also used as the channel medium between the laminations.

Anti-scatter grid for an X-ray device

The invention relates to a method of reconstructing images from cone beam projection data from an examination zone ( ) of an object to be examined. The cone beam projection data is acquired by means of an X-ray device which includes an X-ray source ( ) and an X-ray image intensifier ( ), the X-ray source ( ) being guided along a trajectory around the examination zone ( ) in order to acquire the projection data. First projection data are then acquired from the examination zone ( ) in a first mode of operation of the X-ray image intensifier ( ) which involves a low resolution. For a sub-zone ( ) of the examination zone ( ) second projection data is acquired in a second mode of operation of the X-ray image intensifier ( ) which involves a high resolution. Subsequently, the first and second projection data is combined so as to form third projection data. The third projection data is represented by the second projection data in the sub-zone ( ) of the examination zone ( ) and by the first projection data in the remaining part ( ) of the examination zone ( ). The images are reconstructed on the basis of the third projection data. The invention also relates to a corresponding X-ray device, notably a C-arm X-ray device.

Method of reconstructing images from X-ray cone beam projection data

An X-ray device for the formation of slice images of an object to be examined including an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, a transport device for moving the object during the acquisition of a series of X-ray projection images of the object in a movement plane situated parallel to the imaging plane, and a control device for controlling the acquisition of the X-ray projection images and the transport device. Slice images of the object are formed from the X-ray projection images by a tomosynthesis method. In order to enable the formation of slice images of large objects to be examined, or of large parts thereof, within a period of time which is as short as possible, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are stationary during the acquisition of the X-ray projection images and the control device is configured such that the speed of motion of the object and the moments of acquisition of the X-ray projection images are such that all points to be examined in an examination zone of the object are imaged in at least 10, but preferably in at least 50 different X-ray projection images.

X-ray device for tomosynthesis

Method of imaging the blood flow as a function of time in an object to be examined

The invention relates to a method which enables distributed or dilute structures, for example a vascular system filled with a contrast medium, to be reproduced in a synthetic projection image which reproduces the parts of the vascular system which are situated in a selectable sub-volume more clearly than the X-ray images, formed from different perspectives, wherefrom the projection image is derived. The voxel image values associated with the voxels of the sub-volume are first determined and from these voxel image values there is calculated a synthetic projection image in which the selected sub-volume is reproduced.

X-ray imaging method involving a series of images from different

An X-ray imaging method, and device for carrying out the method, utilizes a first imaging device to form and digitally store a series of two-dimensional X-ray images in which an object to be examined is projected onto an X-ray image pick-up device from different perspectives, and a second imaging device to form a three-dimensional image of the same object. Quasi three-dimensional reproduction of anatomic structures is achieved by extracting a relevant structure of the object to be examined from the three-dimensional image, calculating synthetic, two-dimensional projection images of the extracted structure, the structure being projected with the same geometrical parameters as used for the relevant structure during the formation of the individual X-ray images, forming superposition images by superposing the synthetic projection images and the X-ray images formed under the same geometrical conditions, and displaying the series of superposition images.

X-ray imaging method

A distorted input image, produced by an X-ray exposure and composed of pixels defined by their position and their respective input image value, is transformed into a substantially distortion-free output image composed of pixels defined by their position and their output image value. Improvement is achieved in that the transformation utilizes a determination of the position of the corner points of the pixels of the output image (or the input image) as well as the surface area of a polygon defined by the corner points in the input image (output image).

Method for distortion correction of X-ray images, and device for

A memory arrangement for fast geometric transformation of an image is formed by a first memory for storing image values generated by an image-generating system, a second memory for storing image values corresponding to an image resulting from geometric transformation of image values from the first memory, and a third memory with the same number of memory addresses as the second memory and in which an assignment between the addresses of the first and second memories is stored.

Circuit arrangement for geometric image transformation including a

An X-ray diagnostic apparatus, comprises an X-ray source (1), an imaging surface (6) on which the intensity distribution of the X-rays to be applied to a test object (4) is imaged, an optical imaging device for imaging an overall image (10) of the imaging surface (6) onto the entrance surface of a first image sensor (11), a device (12) for the visual display of the overall image (10), and an imaging enlargement device for the enlarged visual display of a selectable detail of the overall image. Strongly enlarged and still high-resolution detail images are generated in that the selectable detail (20) of the overall image is directed onto a second image sensor 16) which discriminates a substantially higher number of pixels relative to the unit of surface area of the overall image.

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Hamburg, Germany

Reiner H Koppe