Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Siemens Healthineers Ag

Siemens Aktiengsellschaft

Stefan Thesen

Matthias Fenchel

Andreas Schilling

Edgar Mueller

Jens Gühring

Robert Schneider

Gunnar Krüger

Valer Canda

Sebastian Budz

Wei Wang

Tong Fang

Michael Scheuering

Grzegorz Soza

Wilfried Schnell

Gregory G Slabaugh

Gabriel Haras

Gozde Unal

Carsten Thierfelder

Alexander Brost

Shuping Qing

Johann Uebler

Cecile Mohr

Jing Lu

Peter Huber

Fernando Vega

Kerstin Huwer

Shawn Lankton

Sebastian Krueger

Volker Schaller

Bjoern Nolte

A method for use in generating a computer-based visualization of 3D medical image data is described. The method includes receiving 3D medical image data and performing a selection process to select first image data forming a first portion of the 3D medical image data, the first image data representing a first anatomical object of a given type. An analysis process is performed on the first image data, a parameter of the analysis process being based on the given type of the first anatomical object. Based at least in part on a result of the analysis process, a visual parameter mapping for the first portion is determined, for use in a rendering process for generating a visualization of the 3D medical image data. Also described is a method of generating a computer-based visualization of 3D medical image data and an apparatus for performing the methods.

Method for use in generating a computer-based visualization of 3D medical image data

A computer-implemented method and a corresponding apparatus are provided for the provision of a two-dimensional visualization image having a plurality of visualization pixels for the visualization of a three-dimensional object represented by volume data for a user. Context information for the visualization is obtained by the evaluation of natural language and is taken into account in the visualization. The natural language can be in the form of electronic documents, which are assigned or can be assigned to the visualization process. In addition, the natural language can be in the form of a speech input of a user, during or after the visualization.

Method and apparatus for the visualization of three-dimensional objects

A computer system for image processing has a first working environment with a first program for image processing, as well as a second working environment, logically separated from the first working environment, with a second program for image processing. The first working environment is implemented on a first server. Furthermore, the first working environment is designed to receive a first command to execute the first program and a second command to execute the second program, and to send the second command to the second working environment. The second working environment is designed to send an image processed by the second program to the first working environment. The communication of a user with the first and second program thus occurs via a uniform platform in the form of the first working environment, and the integration of the second program for image processing into the workflow is facilitated.

Computer system and method for image processing

A method is disclosed for obtaining a 4D image data record of an object under examination using measured data from a computed tomography system in which projection data are accepted which were acquired by way of the computed tomography system at different imaging time points by way of an helical scan method following the administration of contrast medium to the object under examination). On the basis of the projection data, image data of the object under examination are then reconstructed and linked with the imaging time points to a space/time data record. Then, a parameterized 4D image data model is individualized with adaptation to the space/time data record by varying model parameters. An image processing device and a computed tomography system with an image processing device of this kind are also described.

Method, image processing device and computed tomography system for obtaining a 4D image data record of an object under examination and computer program product with program code sections for carrying out a method of this kind

In a medical image acquisition, and operating method, before acquiring a current planning image data set from a subject, a statistical atlas is generated from multiple planning image data sets using a specific measurement protocol, as a statistical compilation including an average image data set electronically associated with association information that identifies different anatomical entities represented by the statistical compilation. After the current planning image data set is acquired, the stored average image data set is transformed into the current planning image data set, with the association information being accurately associated with the current planning image data set. A diagnostic image acquisition of the subject is then controlled using the association information that is now associated with the current planning image data set.

Medical image acquisition apparatus and operating method therefor

In a method, system and computer program product for administration of different versions of a configuration file for configuration of medical apparatuses in a clinical system, the configuration file can also be locally changed at the apparatus itself and be made centrally available. Together with one configuration file, a set of versions regarding the configuration file is automatically administered while maintaining consistency of the data.

Administration of differently-versioned configuration files of a medical facility

In the method according to at least one embodiment of the invention, an image data record having a structure to be segmented is first of all displayed by display equipment. Using an input apparatus, a segmentation algorithm to be used is selected from a group of different segmentation algorithms, including a contour-based segmentation algorithm, a region-based segmentation algorithm and manual segmentation, based on the local image contrast in a region to be segmented in the image data record. A region to be segmented in the image data record is marked, and the structure to be segmented in the marked region is segmented using the selected segmentation algorithm, and a segmentation result of the segmentation is displayed. This procedure (selecting a segmentation algorithm/marking a region/segmenting the region/displaying) is repeated until the structure to be segmented is completely segmented in the displayed image data record and a boundary line of the structure is produced as the final segmentation result. Lastly, the final segmentation result is saved and/or displayed. Furthermore, an image processing unit is disclosed for carrying out the method of at least one embodiment.

Method for interactively segmenting structures in image data records and image processing unit for carrying out the method

In the method according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a first segmentation of a structure in an image data record is firstly carried out, and a first final segmentation result is obtained therefrom. A region in the image data record is selected based on the first final segmentation result obtained. A first band is placed at a first, outwardly pointing distance from the selected region. This first band characterizes a background region. A second band is placed at a second, inwardly pointing distance from the projected first final segmentation result of the first segmentation. This second band characterizes a structure region. A further segmentation is carried out based on the characterized background region and the characterized structure region, and the final segmentation result of the further segmentation is saved and/or displayed. Furthermore, an image processing unit for carrying out the method is disclosed.

Method for segmenting structures in image data records and image processing unit for carrying out the method

A method for lesion segmentation in 3-dimensional (3D) digital images, includes selecting a 2D region of interest (ROI) from a 3D image, the ROI containing a suspected lesion, extending borders of the ROI to 3D forming a volume of interest (VOI), where voxels on the borders of the VOI are initialized as background voxels and voxels in an interior of the VOI are initialized as foreground voxels, propagating a foreground and background voxel competition where for each voxel in the VOI, having each neighbor voxel in a neighborhood of the voxel attack the voxel, and, if the attack is successful, updating a label and strength of the voxel with that of the successful attacking voxel, and evolving a surface between the foreground and background voxels in 3D until an energy functional associated with the surface converges in value, where the surface segments the suspected lesion from the image.

System and method for lesion segmentation in whole body magnetic resonance images

In a method to control the acquisition and/or evaluation procedure of image data in medical examinations, in a previously acquired planning image data set entirely or partially covering a target volume, spatial information of the target volume is determined automatically using a statistical model of the target volume based on data about real anatomy. The acquisition and/or evaluation operation is controlled using the spatial information. A statistical model of at least one greyscale value distribution in the region of the surface of the target volume is used to calculate the location information.

Method for controlling an image data acquisition and/or evaluation procedure in medical examinations

In an MR-compatible video system, MR-compatible video eyeglasses are connected to a graphics unit. A position sensor arrangement is connected to the graphics unit to detect the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of a user. The graphics unit comprises means for producing image signals for MR-compatible video eyeglasses depending on the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of the user.

MR-compatible video system

In a method for controlling the acquisition and/or evaluation operation of image data in medical examinations, using a statistical model of the target volume based on data about real anatomy, spatial information (in particular position, orientation and shape) of the target volume are automatically determined in a previously-acquired planning image data set wholly or partially showing a target volume, and the acquisition and/or evaluation operation is controlled using the spatial information.

Method for controlling the acquisition and/or evaluation operation of image data in medical examinations

In the examination of a subject with a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, data for a slice of the subject to be examined are obtained with a sequence of a fast MRT imaging method that includes at least three phase correction scans and measurement signals of the respective phase correction scans as well as of the slice are obtained. The phase difference of corresponding data points of two phase correction scans are calculated point-by-point, the average phase difference between the phase correction scans is evaluated, and the frequency offset between the actual resonance frequency relative to the adjusted resonance frequency is calculated based on the average phase difference and the echo time difference between the phase correction scans used. A Bfield map is calculated dependent on the frequency offset and, the measurement data for the slice are corrected using the calculated Bfield map.

Method and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for correcting changes in the basic magnetic field

In a method for determination of the transverse relaxation time T2* in MR data, the T2* relaxation is detected in a measurement volume and the transverse relaxation time is determined from the time curve of the magnetization in the measurement volume. In order to be able to more reliably determine the transverse relaxation time T2*, a local magnetic field in the measurement volume is determined and the transverse relaxation time is corrected dependent on the local magnetic field such that a corrected transverse relaxation time is obtained. The local magnetic field is determined by determination of the phase curve of the magnetization from multiple predetermined echo times, the echo times having different intervals (&#x394;TE) from one another, and determination of the local magnetic field from the phase curve of the magnetization. The interval between the echo times at least at one point in the measurement volume is adapted such that the local magnetic field can be determined without phase compression.

Method for determination of the transverse relaxation time T2* in MR data

In a method and apparatus for incremental calculation of a general linear model given intermittent correlation of the model functions, data composed of a number of data sets with a number of different random samples are processed. For each independent random sample contained in the data set, a dependency on an order quantity is compared with the dependency on the order quantity in model functions contained in a model matrix G using the general linear model in order to check the occurrence of specific characteristics in the dependency of the random sample on the order quantity. The calculation of the general linear model ensues incrementally from data set to data set. Before the calculations for the data of a data set, a check is made as to whether the model functions contained in the model matrix G exhibit orthogonal portions to a sufficient degree in a segment (represented by the data set) of the dependency on the order quantity for the calculations. Given a degree of parallelism that is too high, one or more model functions of the model matrix G that interfere with the orthogonality are masked out to a predeterminable degree in the calculations for this data set, in order to achieve the sufficient degree of orthogonal portions. An incremental calculation of the general linear model with corresponding output of intermediate results is thereby enabled, even given the presence of intermittent correlating model functions in the model matrix.

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Dormitz, Germany

Stefan Thesen