Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090306547 | STEPWISE ADVANCEMENT OF A MEDICAL TOOL - Apparatus is provided, including a sensor for sensing a phase of cyclic activity of a subject's body system. A tool modulator includes a gate configured:
| 12-10-2009 |
20100157041 | AUTOMATIC STABILIZATION OF AN IMAGE STREAM OF A MOVING ORGAN - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a tool inside a portion of a subject's body that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames are acquired of the portion of the subject's body. The image frames are image tracked by (a) automatically identifying at least a feature of the tool in at least a portion of the image frames, and (b) aligning the tool in image frames of the portion of the image frames, based on the automatic identifying. The image-tracked image frames of the portion of the subject's body are displayed as an image stream. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160764 | AUTOMATIC GENERATION AND UTILIZATION OF A VASCULAR ROADMAP - Apparatus and methods are described for receiving into at least one processor a set of images of blood vessels of a subject. A road map of the subject's blood vessels is generated, by automatically (a) deriving at least one image from the set of images of the blood vessels, based upon visibility of at least a portion of the blood vessels in the set of images, and (b) in the derived image, determining a location of edge lines of at least some of the portion of the blood vessels in the image. An output is generated by the processor, based on the road map. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160773 | AUTOMATIC QUANTITATIVE VESSEL ANALYSIS AT THE LOCATION OF AN AUTOMATICALLY-DETECTED TOOL - Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a tool into a blood vessel, and, while the tool is within the blood vessel, acquiring an extraluminal image of the blood vessel. In the extraluminal image of the blood vessel, a location of a portion of the tool with respect to the blood vessel is detected automatically. In response to detecting the location of the portion of the tool, a target portion of the blood vessel that is in a vicinity of the portion of the tool is designated automatically. Using the extraluminal image, quantitative vessel analysis is performed on the target portion of the blood vessel. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161023 | AUTOMATIC TRACKING OF A TOOL UPON A VASCULAR ROADMAP - Apparatus and methods are described including generating a road map of a blood vessel in a portion of a subject's body. A given feature that is within the portion of the subject's body is identified in the road map, the given feature being visible even in images of the portion the generation of which does not include use of a contrast agent. A tool is inserted into the blood vessel, and a current location of a portion of the tool is determined with respect to the given feature, by imaging the tool and the feature. In response to the determined current location, a current position of the tool within the road map is determined. In response to determining the current position of the tool within the road map, the current position of the tool with respect to the road map is displayed. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-24-2010 |
20100171819 | AUTOMATIC REDUCTION OF INTERFERING ELEMENTS FROM AN IMAGE STREAM OF A MOVING ORGAN - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. The image frames are enhanced with respect to a first given feature of the image frames, by (a) image tracking the image frames with respect to the first given feature, (b) identifying a second given feature in each of the image frames, and (c) in response to the identifying, reducing visibility of the second given feature in the image frames. The image frames that (a) have been image tracked with respect to the first given feature, and (b) have had reduced therein the visibility of the second given feature, are displayed as a stream of image frames. Other embodiments are also described. | 07-08-2010 |
20100172556 | AUTOMATIC ENHANCEMENT OF AN IMAGE STREAM OF A MOVING ORGAN - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. A stream of image frames is generated in which a vicinity of a given feature of the image frames is enhanced, by (a) automatically identifying the given feature in each of the image frames, (b) aligning the given feature in two or more of the image frames, (c) averaging sets of two or more of the aligned frames to generate a plurality of averaged image frames, and (d) displaying as a stream of image frames the plurality of averaged image frames. Other embodiments are also described. | 07-08-2010 |
20100191102 | AUTOMATIC CORRECTION AND UTILIZATION OF A VASCULAR ROADMAP COMPRISING A TOOL - Apparatus and methods are described including generating a road map of a blood vessel. Subsequent to the generation of the road map, a tool is inserted into the blood vessel. While the tool is inside the blood vessel, the position of the tool is determined. The road map is modified to account for the determined position of the tool. Other embodiments are also described. | 07-29-2010 |
20100220917 | AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF A VASCULAR SKELETON - Apparatus and methods are described for receiving into at least one processor at least one image of blood vessels of a subject. Using image processing, discontinuous lines that correspond to paths of at least a portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically derived, the lines having end points at discontinuities in the lines. Continuous lines that correspond to the paths of the portion of the blood vessels in the image are automatically generated by bridging the discontinuities in the discontinuous lines. An output is generated by the processor, based on the continuous lines. Other embodiments are also described. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222671 | IDENTIFICATION AND PRESENTATION OF DEVICE-TO-VESSEL RELATIVE MOTION - Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a tool that is inserted into a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes cyclic motion. A plurality of native images of the tool inside the portion of the body are acquired, at respective phases of the cyclic motion. The native images are stabilized with respect to a feature of the portion of the body. In response to stabilizing the native images, an output is generated that is indicative of an extent of movement of the tool with respect to the portion of the body. Other embodiments are also described. | 09-02-2010 |
20100290693 | LOCATION-SENSITIVE CURSOR CONTROL AND ITS USE FOR VESSEL ANALYSIS - Apparatus and methods are provided, including displaying an image of one or more lumens of a subject. A processor includes lumen-identification functionality configured to automatically identify one or more lumens in the image. Envelope-designation functionality of the processor designates as lumen envelopes, portions of the image in vicinities of respective lumens. In response to the user designating a location inside a lumen envelope of a given lumen, via an input device, the location corresponding to a given longitudinal location within the given lumen, feature-generation functionality of the processor generates a feature on the image that corresponds to the given longitudinal location. An output is displayed in response to the generated feature. Other embodiments are also described. | 11-18-2010 |
20110319752 | IMAGE SUPER ENHANCEMENT - Apparatus and methods are provided for imaging a tool inside a portion of a subject's body that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. An image frame in which the tool is enhanced is generated by (a) identifying radiopaque markers in the image frames, (b) identifying edge lines in a vicinity of the markers within the image frames, the edge lines corresponding to contours of the tool, (c) in response to the identifying of the edge lines, selecting a subset of the image frames that are based upon the acquired image frames, based upon a level of similarity between the edge lines in the selected image frames to one another, (d) aligning the contours in a plurality of the selected image frames, and (e) averaging the plurality of aligned frames to generate an averaged image frame. Other applications are also described. | 12-29-2011 |
20120004529 | AUTOMATIC DISPLAY OF PREVIOUSLY-ACQUIRED ENDOLUMINAL IMAGES - Apparatus and methods are provided for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device that acquires a set of endoluminal data-points of a lumen of a subject's body at respective locations inside the lumen, a second endoluminal device, and a display configured to display images. At least one processor includes location-association functionality that associates a given data point acquired by the endoluminal data-acquisition device with a given location within the lumen. Location-determination functionality determines, by means of image processing, in an extraluminal image of the second endoluminal device, a current location of at least a portion of the second endoluminal device. Display-driving functionality drives the display to display an indication of the endoluminal data point associated with the location, in response to determining that the portion of the second device is currently at the location. Other applications are also described. | 01-05-2012 |
20120004537 | CO-USE OF ENDOLUMINAL DATA AND EXTRALUMINAL IMAGING - Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device configured to be moved through a lumen, the device having a radiopaque marker coupled thereto. While the device is being moved through the lumen (a) endoluminal data points of the lumen are acquired using the device, (b) contrast agent is continuously injected into the lumen, and (c) angiographic images of the device are acquired. It is determined that endoluminal data points correspond to respective locations within the lumen, by determining locations of the radiopaque marker within the angiographic images of the lumen, by performing image processing on the angiographic images, the locations of the radiopaque marker within the angiographic images of the lumen corresponding to respective endoluminal data points. Other applications are also described. | 01-05-2012 |
20120029339 | ACCOUNTING FOR FORWARD MOTION DURING PULLBACK OF AN ENDOLUMINAL IMAGING PROBE - Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device configured to acquire endoluminal data points while moving through a lumen of a subject's body generally in a first direction with respect to the lumen. While the endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through the lumen, a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen are acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that, at least one location, two or more endoluminal data points were acquired. An output is generated using a portion of the plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device, by using only a single endoluminal data point corresponding to the location. Other applications are also described. | 02-02-2012 |
20120230565 | AUTOMATIC QUANTITATIVE VESSEL ANALYSIS - Apparatus and methods are described for use with an image of blood vessels of a subject. In response to a user designating a single point on the image (a) a target portion of a blood vessel is automatically identified in the vicinity of the designated point, and (b) quantitative vessel analysis is performed on the target portion of the blood vessel. An output is generated based upon the quantitative vessel analysis. Other embodiments are also described. | 09-13-2012 |
20130329030 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MASKING A PORTION OF A MOVING IMAGE STREAM - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle, including acquiring a plurality of image frames of the portion of the subject's body. A given feature is identified in at least some of the image frames. At least some image frames are image tracked with respect to the feature, and the image frames that have been image tracked with respect to the given feature are displayed as a stream of image frames. Visibility of a periphery of the displayed stream of image frames is at least partially reduced, by applying a mask to the displayed stream of image frames. Other applications are also described. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329977 | AUTOMATIC REDUCTION OF INTERFERING ELEMENTS FROM AN IMAGE STREAM OF A MOVING ORGAN - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. The image frames are enhanced with respect to a first given feature of the image frames, by (a) image tracking the image frames with respect to the first given feature, (b) identifying a second given feature in each of the image frames, and (c) in response to the identifying, reducing visibility of the second given feature in the image frames. The image frames that (a) have been image tracked with respect to the first given feature, and (b) have had reduced therein the visibility of the second given feature, are displayed as a stream of image frames. Other embodiments are also described. | 12-12-2013 |
20140094660 | ACCOUNTING FOR NON-UNIFORM LONGITUDINAL MOTION DURING MOVEMENT OF AN ENDOLUMINAL IMAGING PROBE - Apparatus and methods are provided including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a lumen of a subject, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. At at least one location it is determined that an event occurred, the event causing the endoluminal data-acquisition device not to acquire a single endoluminal data point at the location. The endoluminal data points are displayed in a stack, in which the endoluminal data points are positioned at locations corresponding to relative locations within the lumen at which the endoluminal data points were acquired, and in which the event is accounted for. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094689 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A PLURALITY OF LOCAL CALIBRATION FACTORS FOR AN IMAGE - Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring a first set of extraluminal images of a lumen, using an extraluminal imaging device. At least one of the first set of images is designated as a roadmap image. While an endoluminal device is being moved through the lumen, a second set of extraluminal images is acquired. A plurality of features that are visible within images belonging to the second set of extraluminal images are identified. In response to the identified features in the images belonging to the second set of extraluminal images, a plurality of local calibration factors associated with respective portions of the roadmap image are determined. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094690 | DISPLAYING A DEVICE WITHIN AN ENDOLUMINAL IMAGE STACK - Apparatus and methods are described including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a subject's lumen, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that respective endoluminal data points correspond to respective locations along the lumen. A display is driven to display at least some of the plurality of endoluminal data points in a stack. While a second endoluminal device is inside the lumen, a current location of at least a portion of the second endoluminal device with respect to the lumen is determined. In response thereto, an image of the second endoluminal device is displayed within the stack, at a location within the stack corresponding to the current location of the second endoluminal device. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094691 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAPPING A SEQUENCE OF IMAGES TO A ROADMAP IMAGE - Apparatus and methods are described including a processor ( | 04-03-2014 |
20140094692 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A DIMENSION OF A PORTION OF A STACK OF ENDOLUMINAL DATA POINTS - Apparatus and methods are described including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a lumen, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. The endoluminal data points are displayed in a stack, and are co-registered to respective locations along the lumen in an extraluminal image of the lumen. Based upon the co-registering of the endoluminal data points to respective locations along the lumen in the extraluminal image of the lumen, a parameter of a portion of the lumen that corresponds to a portion of the stack of endoluminal data points is determined. An output is generated in response thereto. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094693 | ACCOUNTING FOR SKIPPED IMAGING LOCATIONS DURING MOVEMENT OF AN ENDOLUMINAL IMAGING PROBE - Apparatus and methods are described including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a lumen of a subject, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that, at at least one location, no endoluminal data point was acquired. An output is generated using at least a portion of the plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device, the output including an indication that no endoluminal data point was acquired at the location. Other applications are also described. | 04-03-2014 |
20140100451 | COREGISTRATION OF ENDOLUMINAL DATA POINTS WITH VALUES OF A LUMINAL-FLOW-RELATED INDEX - Apparatus and methods are described for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device configured to be moved through a lumen of a subject's body, and a two-dimensional angiographic image of the lumen. A value of a luminal-flow-related index of the subject is determined non-invasively at a plurality of locations along the lumen, at least partially by performing image processing on the angiographic image. While the endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through the lumen, a set of endoluminal data points of the lumen at a plurality of locations within the lumen is acquired, using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that respective endoluminal data points correspond to respective locations along the lumen, and, in response thereto, it is determined that respective endoluminal data points correspond to respective values of the luminal flow-related index. Other applications are also described. | 04-10-2014 |
20140107479 | DETERMINING A LUMINAL-FLOW-RELATED INDEX OF A LUMEN BY PERFORMING IMAGE PROCESSING ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES OF THE LUMEN - Apparatus and methods are described for use with a lumen including, without generating a virtual three-dimensional model of the lumen, and by performing image processing on two-dimensional angiographic images, determining blood velocity within the lumen, and determining geometry of the lumen at a given location. A value of a current flow-related parameter at the location is determined based upon the determined blood velocity and the geometry of the lumen at the location. An indication of a value of a second flow-related parameter of the subject is received, and a value of a luminal-flow-related index of the subject at the location is determined, by determining a relationship between the value of the current flow-related parameter and the value of the second flow-related parameter. Other applications are also described. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111541 | AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF A TOOL - Apparatus and methods are described for use with a portion of a body of a subject including acquiring a plurality of images of the portion, and displaying one of the images. In response to receiving an input that is indicative of a given location within the image, an indication of a region within the portion is generated on the image. In response to receiving a further input, a dimension of the region that is indicated within the image is modified. In response thereto, at least one tool that is suitable for being placed at the region is identified, and/or a dimension of at least one tool that is suitable for being placed at the region is identified. An output is generated is response to the identification. Other applications are also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112539 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING VISIBILITY OF A PERIPHERY OF AN IMAGE STREAM - Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle, including acquiring a plurality of image frames of the portion of the subject's body. A given feature is identified in at least some of the image frames. At least some image frames are image tracked with respect to the feature, and the image frames that have been image tracked with respect to the given feature are displayed as a stream of image frames. Visibility of a periphery of the displayed stream of image frames is at least partially reduced. Other applications are also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112566 | AUTOMATIC ANGIOGRAM DETECTION - Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring a plurality of image frames of a blood vessel of a subject, acquisition of the image frames commencing prior to injection of a contrast agent into the blood vessel. A first image frame is identified as being the image frame in which an angiographic sequence commenced by calculating a vesselness descriptor for each one of the image frames, by determining an extent to which pixels within the image frame are likely to correspond to the blood vessel, and by determining that, in the first image frame, there was an increase in the vesselness descriptor relative to at least one image frame acquired prior to the first image frame. An output is generated at least partially in response to identifying the first image frame. Other applications are also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114184 | DETERMINING A LUMINAL-FLOW-RELATED INDEX USING BLOOD VELOCITY DETERMINATION - Apparatus and methods are described for use with an imaging device ( | 04-24-2014 |
20140114185 | DETERMINING A CHARACTERISTIC OF A LUMEN BY MEASURING TEMPORAL CHANGES IN CONTRAST AGENT DENSITY - Apparatus and methods for use with a set of angiographic images of a lumen of a subject's body are described. Temporal changes in a density of a contrast agent at a given location within the lumen are analyzed via image processing. In response to the analysis, a characteristic of the lumen at the location is determined, and, in response thereto, an output is generated. Other applications are also described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140121513 | DETERMINING A CHARACTERISTIC OF A LUMEN BY MEASURING VELOCITY OF A CONTRAST AGENT - Apparatus and methods are described for use with a plurality of angiographic image frames of a moving lumen of a subject, including aligning the image frames with each other. Using the aligned image frames, a time it takes a contrast agent to travel a known distance through the lumen is determined. At least partially in response thereto, a characteristic of the lumen is determined, and, in response to the determined characteristic, an output is generated on a display. Other applications are also described. | 05-01-2014 |
20140161331 | AUTOMATIC QUANTITATIVE VESSEL ANALYSIS - Apparatus and methods are described including designating within an image of blood vessels of a subject, a target portion of the blood vessels. In response to a first input from a user that designates a single point on the image, a first location within the blood vessels in a vicinity of the designated point is designated. In response to second and third inputs from the user, proximal and distal locations within the target portion are designated. The target portion is designated such that the target portion passes from the proximal location of the target portion to the distal location of the target portion, and such that the target portion includes the first location. Quantitative vessel analysis is performed on the target portion of the blood vessels, and an output is generated based upon the quantitative vessel analysis. Other applications are also described. | 06-12-2014 |