Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.

Siemens Healthcare Gmbh

Weng Lei

Soroosh Kargar

John Baumgart

Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating image-assisted diagnostic evaluation. In accordance with one aspect of the framework, imaging parameters used in acquiring a treatment image of a portion of patient anatomy are automatically recorded during an imaging examination. The treatment image may indicate at least one location of at least one treated site. During a follow-up examination, a follow-up image of the portion of the patient anatomy may be automatically acquired using the recorded imaging parameters. To assist evaluation of treatment results, the treatment image with the indicated location of the treated site may be overlaid over the follow-up image.

Image-assisted diagnostic evaluation

A system and method includes acquisition of a first at least two two-dimensional images of a body, generation of a first three-dimensional image based on the first at least two two-dimensional images, acquisition of a second at least two two-dimensional images of the body, generation of a second three-dimensional image based on the second at least two two-dimensional images, determination of a difference between the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, determination of a region of interest based on the difference, replacement of first voxels of the region of interest of the first three-dimensional image with second voxels of the region of interest of the second three-dimensional image to generate a first updated three-dimensional image, and display of the first updated three-dimensional image.

Real-time three-dimensional visualization of interventional medical devices

An image data subtraction system receives an electrical signal representing a heart cycle electrical waveform during multiple heart cycles and acquires data representing a first image set comprising multiple temporally sequential individual mask images of vessels of a portion of patient anatomy during the multiple heart cycles in the absence of a contrast agent. The system acquires data representing a second image set comprising a multiple temporally sequential individual contrast enhanced images of vessels of the portion of patient anatomy during the multiple heart cycles in the presence of a contrast agent. An image data processor automatically uses the electrical signal to identify temporally corresponding pairs of images comprising a mask image and a contrast enhanced image acquired substantially at a same point within a heart cycle. The image data processor, for the corresponding pairs, automatically subtracts data representing a mask image of a corresponding pair from a contrast enhanced image of the corresponding pair, to provide subtracted images.

System for performing coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

A system identifies a stent in an image using luminance density and anatomical information. An X-ray imaging system automatically detects and indicates location of an invasive anatomical device in an image. An interface acquires, data representing X-ray images of patient vessels and data identifying a particular vessel containing a medical device. An image data processor employs a model of anatomical vessels to select a region of interest in a vessel identified by the acquired data and automatically determines a location of the medical device in an acquired image by determining at least a portion of an outline of the medical device by detecting a luminance transition in the acquired image using an image edge detector. A display processor initiates generation of data depicting location of the medical device in the acquired image in response to determining the at least a portion of the outline of the medical device.

System for detecting an invasive anatomical instrument

A system provides recovery from an X-ray system C-arm and patient table collision. A collision recovery system enables a user to recover from a collision or near collision of movable components of an X-ray imaging system including a movable C-arm hosting an X-ray emitter and detector. The system includes a C-arm position tracking processor for automatically recording C-arm position data indicating a valid stationary position of a C-arm and a path from the valid stationary position to an invalid position of the C-arm enabling retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A user interface enables a user to initiate retracement of the C-arm along the path to the valid stationary position. A C-arm is movable to retrace the path to the valid stationary position using the recorded C-arm data in response to user command.

System for recovering from collision of components of an X-ray imaging unit

A system displays potential radiation zones in an angiography X-ray laboratory during an angiography procedure, for example, and identifies areas of potentially harmful radiation due to X-ray scatter in an imaging room. An input processor receives data identifying an emitted X-ray dose level applied to an area of a patient anatomy. An image data processor determines level of X-ray radiation dose scatter in different regions of an imaging room indicating regions of potentially harmful radiation, by calculating X-ray scatter dose at different distances from an irradiated patient area as being substantially in proportion to the size of the irradiated area and substantially inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the irradiated area. A visual alert system visually identifies areas of a room of potentially harmful radiation in response to the determination.

System for identifying radiation zones in X-ray imaging

A system and method for medical scan archiving and notifying medical professionals of a need for evaluation of the medical scan, having the steps of enrolling a medical professional in a computer system, the enrolling of the medical professional including a medical professional type, gathering medical data from the patient, entering the medical data gathered from the patient, an urgency type for the patient, and a medical data type for the patient into a data archival system, evaluating the urgency type for the patient related to the medical data, conducing a broadcast message to a medical professional with a medical professional type corresponding to the medical data type when the urgency type corresponds to a need for immediate reading of the medical data for the patient and retrieving the broadcast message to the medical professional and conducting a replacement broadcast when the urgency type of the medical data changes from a first state to a second state.

Method of Picture Archiving Communication System messaging intelligent update mechanism

A system positions a patient for X-ray imaging of a Left Atrium of a heart, using an imaging system for, acquiring data representing a frontal first X-ray image and representing a lateral second X-ray image of a patient. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a first composite display image including the first X-ray image and a first graphical overlay for aligning with vertebra in the first X-ray image. The display processor initiates generation of data representing a second composite display image including the second X-ray image and a second graphical overlay for aligning with vertebra in the second X-ray image. The imaging system is positioned for imaging a heart left atrium in response to movement of a table supporting the patient to align the first graphical overlay with the vertebra in the first X-ray image and to align the second graphical overlay with the vertebra in the second X-ray image.

System for positioning and X-ray imaging a heart

An X-ray imaging system automatically calculates blood flow travel time by using an X-ray image acquisition system to initiate acquisition of images at a second anatomical site synchronized with introduction of contrast agent into a patient vessel at a first anatomical site. A detector automatically compares images, acquired at the second anatomical site in response to the introduction of contrast agent, with images of the second anatomical site acquired in the absence of a contrast agent, to detect when contrast agent reaches the second anatomical site via blood flow in a circulatory system of the patient. A calculator automatically calculates a blood flow travel time duration between the first and second anatomical sites based on the time elapsed between time of the introduction of contrast agent and a time the contrast agent reaches the second anatomical site in response to the detection. An output processor automatically generates a message indicating the calculated blood flow travel time.

System for circulatory blood flow travel time determination

A system for auto-deletion of image related data in an imaging system, includes an imaging system. The imaging system comprises a repository for storing image representative data, and is capable of archiving image representative data in the repository, and deleting image representative data from the repository. The system also includes an archiving system, coupled to the imaging system, for receiving image representative data from the imaging system and archiving the received data. The imaging system automatically deletes image representative data which has been archived from the repository.

Auto-deletion of image related data in an imaging system

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.

System and method for selecting end of diastole and end of systole frames

An X-ray imaging system performs automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy and includes an X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device supports automated movement of an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programmed steps. A multi-step programming interface enables a user to select, (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy. A computation processor automatically determines a series of pre-programmed steps comprising multiple incremental distances to be moved by the X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to the portion of patient anatomy in response to predetermined data including, (i) the selected start and end positions, (ii) the length of the portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and (iii) the amount of overlap desired between successive X-ray images. An imaging controller initiates automated multi-step imaging of the portion of patient anatomy by the X-ray imaging device in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command.

X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy

An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programed steps in response to the determined regions. An X-ray imaging device automatically moves an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programed steps and user command. The X-ray imaging device automatically adjusts the position of the portion of X-ray absorbent material via the control signal.

X-ray imaging system for performing automated imaging of patient anatomy

A method and system for reporting quantitative measurement information includes forming a message with quantitative measurement information; converting the data format of the message to a data format which allows the message to be sent over a communication network; converting the data format of the message received over the communication network to a data format corresponding to that of a data recording system; and generating a report with the recording system using the quantitative measurement information contained in the message.

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Mount Prospect, IL, United States of America

Weng Lei