Abstract:
The invention relates to a system (100) for adapting a plurality of model meshes to a plurality of image data, the system comprising a registration unit (110) for registering the plurality of model meshes with the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of a registration transformation for transforming the plurality of model meshes, and an adaptation unit (120) for adapting the plurality of registered model meshes to the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of locations of mesh vertices of the plurality of model meshes. The system (100) may further comprise a computing unit (130) for computing sparse vector fields comprising vectors of displacements of vertices of the adapted model meshes, an approximation unit (140) for computing dense vector fields on the basis of the sparse vector fields, a merge unit (150) for merging image data sets by means of the computed dense vector fields, and a reconstruction unit (155) for reconstructing a motion-compensated image data from the computed dense vector fields. The described system (100) is capable of reducing motion artifacts in tomographic images computed from data acquired at a plurality of different cardiac cycle phases.
Abstract:
Volume measurement of for example a tumor in a 3D image dataset is an important and often performed task. The problem is to segment the tumor out of this volume in order to measure its dimensions. This problem is complicated by the fact that the tumors are often connected to vessels and other organs. According to the present invention, an automated method and corresponding device and computer software are provided, which analyze a volume of interest around a singled out tumor, and which, by virtue of a 3D distance transform and a region drawing scheme advantageously allow to automatically segment a tumor out of a given volume.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a system (100) for interactive definition of a region of interest in an image data space, the system (100) comprising a point unit (110) for selecting a plurality of points for defining a boundary of the region of interest on the basis of user inputs and a boundary unit (120) for determining the boundary on the basis of the plurality of points, thereby defining the region of interest, wherein the boundary unit further comprises a domain unit (122) for determining a domain space for a parameterization of the boundary, a projection unit (124) for projecting each point of the plurality of points onto the domain space and an approximation unit (126) for computing a map for mapping the domain space into the image data space, wherein values of the map are points defining the boundary of the region of interest, such that the composition of said projection and said map satisfies a condition for defining the map. Only points necessary for defining the ROI need to be selected. For a simple-shape structure of interest, or for a structure of interest which is at a fair distance from other non- interesting structures, the number of points for defining a ROI comprising said structure of interest can be quite low. For a complex-shape structure of interest, a sufficient number of points can be selected to define a ROI that comprises said structure of interest but does not comprise, for example, a view-occluding structure. The intensities of voxels comprised in the structure of interest do not affect the definition of the ROI, because the ROI is defined on the basis of the selected plurality of points and is not affected by said intensities.
Abstract:
Volume measurement of for example a tumor in a 3D image dataset is an important and often performed task. The problem is to segment the tumor out of this volume in order to measure its dimensions. This problem is complicated by the fact that the tumors are often connected to vessels and other organs. According to the present invention, an automated method and corresponding device and computer software are provided, which analyze a volume of interest around a singled out tumor, and which, by virtue of a 3D distance transform and a region drawing scheme advantageously allow to automatically segment a tumor out of a given volume.
Abstract:
Ground glass opacities in the lung are non-solid nebular-like shadows in the parenchyma tissue of the lung, which may be precursors of a lung cancer. According to the present invention, ground glass opacities may automatically be determined on the basis of a texture analysis of the parenchyma. Advantageously, according to the present invention, a robust and reliable determination of ground glass opacities may be provided, even if vessels, lung walls, airspace or bronchi walls are present within the local neighborhood of the ground glass opacity.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for segmenting an object comprising sub-objects shown in an object image. The apparatus comprises a feature image generation unit (2) for generating a feature image showing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects and a segmentation unit (3) for segmenting the sub-objects by using the object image and the feature image. Preferentially, the feature image generation unit (2) is adapted for generating a feature image from the object image. In a further embodiment, the feature image generation unit (2) comprises a feature enhancing unit for enhancing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects in the object image.
Abstract:
A patient data record is described comprising a mean model representative of the patient and further comprises at least one shape model to represent data concerning the patient, in which the said mean model comprises at least one region and the said shape model comprises at least one sub-section, and in which the at least one sub-section of the shape model is linked to the equivalent region of the mean model. This has the advantage of allowing greater structure to the patient record. Further a system is described to present patient data upon queries generated by a user and arranged to access the claimed patient data record, and which is further arranged to provide access to information in the sub-section of the shape model when a query generated by the user accesses the equivalent region of the mean model. This system allows full use of the improved patient data record.
Abstract:
Usually orthogonal slices of a three-dimensional image set of a tracheobronchial tree (40) of a body do not show the tracheobronchial plane. Thus, the plane has to be adjusted manually by the user by trial and error, which is a tedious and time consuming process. The concept of the invention suggests a method of automated extraction and display of at least one oblique slice (49) of the tracheobronchial plane from a three- dimensional image set of a body. The method is fully automated without any user interaction. According to the invention the method comprises the step of: automatically identifying set of image points being part of a tracheobronchial tree (40); automatically identifying at least one oblique slice (49) as a fit to the image points; automatically performing a reformation step on the three-dimensional image set to extract the oblique slice (49); and automatically displaying (Fig. 6, 7) the oblique slice (49) of the tracheobronchial plane. The concept also provides a respective system (1), image acquisition device, workstation and computer program product and information carrier.
Abstract:
An imaging method for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, comprising the recording of slice images of the lung by means of X-ray radiation, recording of blood vessels, differentiation of blood vessels and abnormal tissue, segmentation of the abnormal tissue and display of the segmented abnormal tissue on an output device. In addition, a computer tomograph for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, having a radiation source for recording slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, a computer unit for differentiating the blood vessels from the abnormal tissue and for segmenting the abnormal tissue, as well as an output device for displaying the segmented abnormal tissue. Furthermore, a computer program is provided for controlling a computer tomograph for an identification of abnormal tissue in the lung by means of a radiation source, designed to record slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, to differentiate the blood vessels from abnormal tissue, to segment the abnormal tissue and to control an output device for displaying the abnormal tissue.
Abstract:
For differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules, a certain fraction of malignant nodules do not exhibit significant enhancement when averaged over the whole nodule volume. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, not only a single averaged contrast enhancement number is determined, but an enhancement curve for each nodule, showing the enhancement as a function of distance to boundary of the nodule. This may provide for an improved differential diagnosis.