Device, system and method for interacting with vascular images

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for interacting with a blood vessel image, the device (14) comprising: an interface unit (22); a processing unit (20); wherein the interface unit (22) comprises: a display (21); and an input arrangement (23); wherein the display (21) is configured to display a blood vessel image (24); wherein the input arrangement (23) is configured to receive user input regarding the blood vessel image (24); wherein the processing unit (20) is configured to: for at least one blood vessel in the blood vessel image (24), The invention relates to a method for determining a blood vessel contour (30) by using a tube (26); determining an identifier position (36) in the blood vessel image (24) according to the user input; indicating at least a portion (38) of the blood vessel contour (30) in the blood vessel image (24) if the determined identifier position (36) is spaced apart from the blood vessel contour (30) by a distance (37) within a predefined distance range; determining a drag direction (42) according to the user input; and moving the indicated portion (38) along the blood vessel contour (30) based on the determined drag direction (42).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, system and method for interacting with a blood vessel image. Background Art

[0002] X-ray imaging devices (e.g., X-ray angiography devices) provide a minimally invasive way to examine a patient's vasculature. Diagnosis of a patient can be performed by visual inspection of the acquired X-ray images. Computers can be incorporated into X-ray imaging devices to analyze the X-ray images and provide additional information. Users (e.g., clinicians) can interact with computer programs on those computers to edit or modify the X-ray images.

[0003] It is important for clinicians to be able to interact with computer programs in a way that does not interfere with the workflow (e.g., during a surgical procedure). A touch interface (such as a tablet) provides a convenient way to implement the editing of X-ray images into the workflow. The touch interface can be fixed adjacent to the operating table. It can also be used under a sterile transparent cover, and it allows intuitive interaction, such as other applications present in a smartphone, such as zooming, panning, etc.

[0004] US 2014 / 0146076 A1 describes an apparatus comprising an interface unit and a contour modification unit. The contour modification unit is configured to modify a contour displayed on a display, wherein the modification is based on a user-selected mode from one or more modes and the user's operation. However, the task of depicting or correcting a blood vessel contour is very specific to a medical setting. It requires much more accuracy than common tasks such as zooming or panning, and furthermore, it needs to be intuitive, easy, effective and efficient. The need for high accuracy is hampered by the fact that touch actions are performed with the user's fingers.

[0005] According to WO 2017 / 117389, image segmentation may include pre-initialized image analysis of image data using an image analysis algorithm to generate a modified image, and the modified image may be presented on a display. Initialization may be performed on a modified image including a user input on the modified image. The modified image may be segmented using a segmentation algorithm that evaluates the user input. After evaluating the user input, the segmentation algorithm may cause a segmented image to be generated, which may be presented on a display.

[0006] EP 2000894 A1 relates to a computer-implemented method for initiating floating point control via a touch-sensitive device, the method comprising: detecting the presence of an object on the touch-sensitive device; identifying the object; and generating a user interface element on the touch screen in the vicinity of the object based on the identified object. Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, there may be a need for an apparatus or method to improve interaction with vascular images.

[0008] The objects of the invention are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims; further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the following described aspects of the invention also apply to the system, the method, the computer program element and the computer readable device.

[0009] According to the present invention, a device for interacting with a blood vessel image is provided, the device comprising: an interface unit; a processing unit; wherein the interface unit comprises: a display; and an input setting; wherein the display is configured to display a blood vessel image; wherein the input setting is configured to receive a user input about the blood vessel image; wherein the processing unit is configured to: determine a blood vessel contour for at least one blood vessel in the blood vessel image; determine an identifier position in the blood vessel image according to the user input; indicate at least a portion of the blood vessel contour in the blood vessel image if the determined identifier position is spaced apart from the blood vessel contour by a distance within a predefined distance range; determine a drag direction according to the user input; and move the indicated portion along the contour based on the determined drag direction.

[0010] Thus, the display of the interface unit displays the vessel image to the user. The processing unit checks the vessel image for the vessel contour. In an example, the display may indicate the portion of the determined vessel contour in the vessel image.

[0011] In an example, the indication may be a line superimposed on the blood vessel image. In another example, the indication may be a change in color or frame, etc.

[0012] In the example, the indicated contour portion describes the complete contour of the blood vessel.

[0013] In further examples, the blood vessel may be represented by a reformatted blood vessel in the image, a blood vessel centerline may be represented by a reformatted blood vessel centerline in the image, and a blood vessel contour may be represented by a reformatted blood vessel contour.

[0014] A user, who may be, for example, a surgeon, may check the determined displayed vessel contour and check whether the determined vessel contour is accurate. Correction of the determined vessel contour may be performed using an input setting. The user may provide a position in the vessel image by defining an identifier position using an identifier on the vessel image. If the input setting is, for example, a touch screen, the identifier may be a finger touching the touch screen.

[0015] If the identifier position is spaced apart from a vessel outline in the vessel image by a distance within a predefined distance range, the processing unit may consider the user input as the start of an interaction with the vessel outline. The required distance between the identifier position and the vessel outline avoids occlusion of the vessel and the vessel outline in the vessel image. Thus, the predefined distance range may ensure that an identifier position inside a vessel will not be determined as the start of an interaction with the vessel image.

[0016] When the processing unit determines the position of the identifier spaced apart from the determined blood vessel contour, the processing unit will indicate the portion of the determined blood vessel contour in the blood vessel image. The indicated portion shows the user the portion of the blood vessel contour that can be corrected.

[0017] The user may change the position of the portion along the blood vessel contour by inputting a drag interaction. The processing unit determines a drag direction input by the user and moves the indicated portion along the contour based on the determined drag direction.

[0018] Since the identifier does not block the view of the vessel, the determined vessel contour, or the indicated portion in the vessel image, the device improves the accuracy of the interaction with the vessel contour of the vessel image. Since the user can always see the correction object in the vessel image, the user can then perform modifications to the vessel contour with a high degree of accuracy.

[0019] According to an example, the processing unit is further configured to move the indicated portion along the blood vessel contour when an angle between the determined dragging direction and the indicated portion is within a first predefined angular range.

[0020] The first predefined angular range avoids inaccurate movement along the indicated portion of the vessel contour. Furthermore, the first predefined angular range only covers a portion of a full circle, so that further angular ranges for further interaction modes with the vessel contour can be defined. This also ensures a clear determination of the dragging direction. Thus, the accuracy of the interaction with the vessel image is further improved.

[0021] According to an example, the first predefined range is in the range from +45° to -45° and from +135° to -135°, preferably in the range from +30° to -30° and from +150° to -150°, more preferably in the range from +15° to -15° and from +165° to -165°, most preferably at 0° and 180°. In other words, in this example, the dragging direction is parallel to the indicated contour portion.

[0022] According to an example, the processing unit is further configured to deform the vessel contour at the indicated portion when an angle between the dragging direction and the indicated portion is within a second predefined angular range, thereby resulting in a deformed indicated portion of the vessel contour in the image.

[0023] The deformation of the vessel contour provides an intuitive way to interact with the vessel image to modify the vessel contour at and / or around the indicated portion. The user can modify the vessel contour so that it fits the vessel in the vessel image. In addition to the movement along the indicated portion of the vessel contour, the second predefined angular range provides an additional interaction mode.

[0024] In an example, the user may also directly deform the vessel contour without moving the indicated portion along the vessel by inputting a dragging direction, the dragging direction having an angle with the vessel contour that is in a second predefined angle range just after the indicated portion is provided by the processing unit.

[0025] According to an example, the second predefined angular range is in the range from +45° to +135° and from 45° to -135°, preferably in the range from +30° to +120° and from -30° to -120°, more preferably in the range from +15° to +105° and from -15° to -105°, most preferably at +90° and at -90°. In other words, in this example, the dragging direction is perpendicular to the indicated contour portion.

[0026] According to an example, the processing unit is further configured to move the deformed indicated portion along the blood vessel contour in the image when an angle between the dragging direction and the indicated portion is within a first predefined range after deforming the blood vessel contour. That is, when the dragging direction changes to a direction parallel to the indicated contour portion after a vertical drag in which the indicated contour portion has been deformed, the deformed indicated portion moves along the blood vessel contour.

[0027] This provides an additional interaction with the vessel image, wherein the user can move the deformed indicated portion to accurately position the deformed indicated portion of the vessel contour in the vessel image. This further improves the accuracy of the interaction with the vessel image.

[0028] According to an example, the processing unit is further configured to increase the length of the indicated contour portion by a predefined growth rate before determining the dragging direction.

[0029] This provides an interaction to correct the size of the indicated portion when initiating the interactive process. Due to the correction of the size, the user can adjust the size of the indicated portion so that the indicated portion fits the area of ​​the determined vessel contour that should be corrected. This further increases the accuracy of the interactive process.

[0030] According to an example, the period of increasing length starts with the detection of the position of the identifier and ends with the detection of the dragging direction.

[0031] This provides an intuitive way to increase the length of the indicated portion.

[0032] According to an example, the interface unit is a touch screen, wherein the user input occurs by touch interaction on a display within the vessel image.

[0033] According to an example, the input device is a mouse and / or an electronic pen.

[0034] According to an example, the predefined distance range is in the range from 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably in the range from 2 mm to 40 mm, more preferably in the range from 3 mm to 30 mm, most preferably in the range from 4 mm to 20 mm.

[0035] According to an example, the processing unit is further configured to replace a blood vessel in the image by a reformatted blood vessel, to replace a blood vessel centerline by a reformatted blood vessel centerline and / or to replace the blood vessel contour by a reformatted blood vessel contour.

[0036] In an example, the processing unit is further configured to reformat straight curves of the vascular anatomy.

[0037] According to the present invention, there is also a system for interacting with a vascular image, the system comprising: an image acquisition device; and a device for interacting with a vascular image according to the above description; wherein the image acquisition device is configured to acquire and provide a vascular image; and wherein the device for interacting with a vascular image is configured to receive the vascular image.

[0038] According to an example, the image acquisition device is configured to provide two-dimensional image data of a blood vessel image, wherein the image acquisition device is an angiography device.

[0039] In an example, the two-dimensional image acquisition device may be an ultrasound device.

[0040] In another example, the image acquisition device is a three-dimensional image acquisition device, preferably a three-dimensional X-ray image acquisition device, more preferably a CT device, an MR device, a PET device or a SPECT device, wherein the three-dimensional image acquisition device provides 2D slices of a 3D data set or a 2D projection of a 3D data set is provided.

[0041] According to the present invention, a method for interacting with a blood vessel image is also provided, the method comprising the following steps: a) displaying the blood vessel image on a display of an interface unit; b) determining a blood vessel contour for at least one blood vessel in the blood vessel image; c) determining an identifier position in the blood vessel image according to the user input; d) indicating at least a portion of the blood vessel contour in the blood vessel image if the determined identifier position is spaced apart from the blood vessel contour by a distance within a predefined distance range; e) determining a drag direction according to the user input; and f) moving the indicated portion along the contour based on the determined drag direction.

[0042] According to the present invention, a computer program element is also provided for controlling the device according to the above description or the system according to the above description, wherein the computer program element is adapted to perform the method steps according to the above description when being run by a processing unit.

[0043] According to the present invention, there is also provided a computer readable medium storing a program element according to the above description.

[0044] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the following drawings:

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device is shown.

[0047] Figure 2a -h shows a schematic diagram of interaction with a blood vessel image on a touch screen.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a mouse as an input arrangement is shown.

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an electronic pen as an input arrangement is shown.

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a first angular range is shown.

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a second angular range is shown.

[0052] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figure 1 A system 10 for interacting with a vascular image is shown, including an image acquisition device 12 and a device 14 for interacting with a vascular image. The image acquisition device 12 is configured to acquire and provide a vascular image 24. The device 14 for interacting with a vascular image is configured to receive the vascular image 24. The vascular image 24 may depict at least one vessel 26. The vessel 26 in the vascular image 24 may be replaced by a reformatted vessel, the vessel centerline may be replaced by a reformatted vessel centerline, and / or the vessel outline may be replaced by a reformatted vessel outline. In addition, the vascular image 24 may show a straightened curve reformatting of the vascular anatomical structure.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition device 12 may provide two-dimensional image data of the blood vessel image 24 , wherein the image acquisition device 12 is an angiography device.

[0055] In other exemplary embodiments, the two-dimensional image data may be extracted from image data acquired by an ultrasound device, a CT device, an MR device, a PET device, or a SPECT device. The two-dimensional image data may be a two-dimensional slice or a two-dimensional projection of a three-dimensional data set.

[0056] The device 14 includes an interface unit 22, a processing unit 20, and a display 21. After receiving the blood vessel image 24, the device can display the blood vessel image 24 on the display 21, such as Figure 2a The user may interact with the vessel image 24 using the interface unit 22. The user may provide user input regarding the vessel image 24, which may be received by the interface unit 22. The user input may include the identifier position 36 in the vessel image 24 and may also include a drag direction 42 performed by the identifier in the vessel image 24.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the interface unit 22 is a touch screen, which includes a display 21 and a touch controller 23. When the interface unit 22 is a touch screen, the identifier in the blood vessel image 24 may be a finger of the user, which touches the touch screen. The surface of the touch screen is then monitored and the touch interaction may be received and processed by the touch controller 23. However, this does not exclude that another body part of the user may be used to touch the touch screen.

[0058] The touch controller 23 of the touch screen can then detect the touch position of the user's finger as the identifier position 36 on the blood vessel image 24. The processing unit 20 can register the detected position on the touch screen to the position in the blood vessel image 24. If the user then performs a dragging movement towards the identifier on the touch screen, the touch controller 23 will detect the dragging direction 42.

[0059] according to Figure 2b , the processing unit 20 may determine a vessel contour 30 of at least one vessel 26 in the vessel image 24. Furthermore, the processing unit 20 may provide an indication of only a portion of the vessel contour 30 in the vessel image 24. The indicated portion of the vessel contour 30 may be shown in the vessel image 24 on the display 21. Furthermore, the processing unit 20 may determine a further vessel contour 32 in the vessel image 24. The further vessel contour 32 may be located relative to the vessel contour 30 at the vessel 26.

[0060] exist Figure 2b 2, it is also shown that the determined vessel contour 30 does not follow the real structure of the vessel 26 in the vessel image 24, wherein the vessel 26 comprises a stenosis 28. As can be seen, the determined vessel contour 30 does not follow the stenosis 28. In this case, the processing unit 20 allows the user to correct the vessel contour 30.

[0061] according to Figure 2c , the user can touch the touch screen of the interface unit 22 with his finger 34 and provide user input. The touch position defines an identifier position 36 in the vessel image 24, which can be determined by the processor unit 20 via the touch controller 23 (ie, in this embodiment by the touch screen).

[0062] If the identifier position 36 is spaced apart from the vessel contour 30 by a distance 37 which may be within a predefined distance range, the processing unit will indicate at least a portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 in the vessel image 24, such as Figure 2d The predefined distance range within which the distance 37 is located may be within a range from 1 mm to 50 mm, preferably within a range from 2 mm to 40 mm, more preferably within a range from 3 mm to 30 mm, and most preferably within a range from 4 mm to 20 mm from the vessel contour 30. Preferably, the processing unit 20 will indicate at least a portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 in the vessel image 24 as long as the distance 37 is within the predefined distance range.

[0063] As long as the user does not move the finger from the indicator position 36, the indicated portion 38 of the vessel outline 30 will increase in length, as shown in FIG. Figure 2eAs soon as the user starts dragging the finger from the identifier position 36, an increase in the length of the indicated portion 38 will occur. This means that the period of increasing the length of the indicated portion 38 will start with the detection of the identifier position 36 and end with the detection of the drag direction 42. The rate of increase can be predefined and selected so that the user can accurately define the size of the indicated portion 38 on the vessel outline 30.

[0064] The drag direction 42 may be detected by the touch controller 23 and determined by the processor unit 20. After detecting the drag direction 42, the processing unit 20 will determine the angle between the drag direction and the indicated portion 38 of the vessel contour 30. If the result of the angle determination is within the first predefined angle range 33, the indicated portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 will be moved along the vessel contour 30 by the processing unit 20. The movement follows the identifier in the drag direction 42, i.e., the user's finger, such as Figure 2f In this exemplary embodiment, the user can drag his finger from the identifier location 36 to the location 40 in the vessel image 24. Figure 2e and Figure 2f In between, the indicated portion 38 may move along the vessel contour 30 from the beginning of the stenosis 28 to the substantial center of the stenosis 28 .

[0065] Figure 2g A change of the drag movement to a direction 46 from the position 40 to the position 44 is shown, wherein the drag movement along the direction 46 may be received by the touch controller 23. When determining the drag movement along the direction 46, the processing unit 20 will determine whether the angle between the direction 46 and the indicated portion 38 is within the second predefined angular range 35. If the determined angle is within the second predefined angular range 35, the vessel contour 30 defaults to the position and / or around the indicated portion 38. The deformation may be such that the indicated portion 38 will move perpendicular to the earlier extension of the vessel contour 30. The connection to the remaining vessel contour 30 is adapted to the movement of the indicated portion 38.

[0066] As in Figure 2g 4, the deformed vessel contour 30 still differs from the stenosis 28. The user may perform a further change of the dragging movement to a direction 48 starting from the position 44. If the angle between the dragging movement along the direction 48 and the indicated portion 38 is within the range of the first predefined angle range 33, the indicated portion 38 will move together with the deformed vessel contour 30 along the vessel contour 30 based on the direction 48. The deformed portion of the vessel contour 30 may then move along the vessel contour 30. This can result in an exact coverage of the contour of the stenosis 28, so that the vessel contour 30 exactly covers the structure of the vessel 26 in the vessel image 24.

[0067] In accordance with Figure 3and 4 In another exemplary embodiment of the interface unit 22, the interface unit 22 may include a mouse or an electronic pen.

[0068] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the interface unit 22 comprises a mouse, and the click interaction with the pointer on the blood vessel image 24 shown on the display 21 defines the identifier position 36. The drag direction 42 can be input by dragging the pointer during the click of the mouse.

[0069] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the interface unit 22 includes an electronic pen. The contact position of the electronic pen on the display 21 can define the identifier position 36 in the blood vessel image 24. The drag direction 42 can be input by dragging the contact electronic pen along the blood vessel image 24.

[0070] Figure 5 A vessel contour 30 with an indicated portion 38 is shown. A line 31 parallel to the indicated portion 48 is depicted for explaining the determination of the angle between the dragging movement and the indicated portion 38. The line 31 intersects the identifier position 36. The dragging movement in a dragging direction 42 is also indicated. Furthermore, a first predefined angular range 33 is shown. The dragging direction 42 has an angle within the first predefined angular range 33. If a deformation of the vessel contour 30 has not yet been performed, this may result in a movement along the indicated portion 38 of the vessel contour 30. If a deformation of the vessel contour 30 has already been performed, the fully deformed vessel contour 30 will move along the vessel contour 30 together with the indicated portion 38. Although the direction 42 points to Figure 5 The bottom of the , but it is not excluded that direction 42 can also point to Figure 5 Thus, the indicated portion 38 can be moved in two directions along the vessel contour 30.

[0071] The first predefined range may be in the range from +45°-45° and from +135° to -135°, preferably in the range from +30° to -30° and from +150° to -150°, more preferably in the range from +15° to -15° and from +165° to -165°, most preferably at 0° and 180°, wherein 0° and 180° are parallel to the profile.

[0072] Figure 6 A second predefined angular range 35 is shown. A direction 46 indicates the dragging direction 42 towards the vessel contour 30, which may start at the identifier position 36. If the angle between the direction 46 and the line 31 is within the second predefined angular range 35, the indicated portion 38 will move perpendicular to the vessel contour 30, which will result in a deformation of the vessel contour 30. Although the direction 46 points to Figure 6However, it is not excluded that the direction 46 may point to the left. This will cause the vessel contour 30 to deform to the left.

[0073] The second predefined angular range may be in the range from +45° to +135° and from -45° to -135°, preferably in the range from +30° to +120° and from -30° to -120°, more preferably in the range from +15° to +105° and from -15° to -105°, most preferably at +90° and at -90°, i.e. perpendicular to the profile.

[0074] Figure 7 A diagram is shown indicating method steps 101 to 110 of a method 100 for interacting with a blood vessel image. The method 100 may be implemented using a device 14 for interacting with a blood vessel image or according to Figure 1 The system 10 for interacting with a vascular image is performed. In the following, Figure 7 Method steps reference Figures 2a to 2h Description. In an embodiment, the method is a computer-implemented method.

[0075] The method comprises a step 101 of displaying a blood vessel image 24 on a display 21 of a device 14, such as Figure 2a shown.

[0076] In the determination step 102, a blood vessel contour 30 of at least one blood vessel 26 in the blood vessel image 24 is determined, such as Figure 2b The determination may be performed by means of the processing unit 20. Furthermore, a further vessel contour 32 may be determined in the vessel image 24. The further vessel contour 32 may be positioned relative to the vessel contour 30 at the vessel 26.

[0077] Blood vessel 26 may include stenosis 28. Figure 2b As can be seen in , the determined vessel contour 30 does not follow the stenosis 28. In this case, the method allows the user to correct the vessel contour 30.

[0078] In a further determination step 103, the touch position of the user input defined by the identifier position 36 in the vessel image 24 may be determined by the processor unit 20 via the touch controller 23, such as Figure 2c shown.

[0079] In the indicating step 104, if the identifier position 36 is spaced apart from the vessel contour 30 by a distance 37 within a predefined distance range, at least a portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 in the vessel image 24 may be indicated, such as Figure 2d shown.

[0080] In a detection step 105, a drag interaction may be detected by the touch controller 23 and in a further determination step 106, a drag direction 42 of the detected drag interaction may be determined by the processor unit 20. In an example, an angle between the drag direction and the currently indicated portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 is established.

[0081] In case a touch interaction occurs at the identifier position 36 but the touch controller has not detected any drag interaction, for example, the processor unit 20 may increase the length of the indicated portion 38. The increase rate may be predefined and selected so that the user can accurately define the size of the indicated portion 38 on the vessel outline 30.

[0082] In the moving step 107, if the result of the angle determination is within the first predefined angle range 33, the indicated portion 38 of the vessel contour 30 will be moved by the processing unit 20 along the vessel contour 30. The movement follows the identifier (i.e., the user's finger) in the dragging direction 42, as shown in FIG. Figure 2f In this exemplary embodiment, the user can drag his finger from the identifier location 36 to the location 40 in the vessel image 24.

[0083] In an optional further movement step 108, if the determined angle changes to an angle within the second predefined angle range 3, the vessel contour 30 may be deformed such that the indicated portion 38 will be moved 108 perpendicularly to the earlier extension of the vessel contour 30, e.g. Figure 2g The connection to the remaining vessel contour 30 is adapted to the movement of the indicated portion 38 .

[0084] Optionally, if the user finds that the deformed blood vessel contour 30 is still different from the stenosis 28, then in a further movement step 109, the user can perform a further change of the dragging movement to a direction 48 starting from the position 44, so that the indicated portion 38 of the deformed blood vessel contour 30 moves based on the direction 48, as shown in FIG. Figure 2h shown.

[0085] By optionally repeating the moving step, in an optional storing step 110, when the user has established that sufficient coverage of the contour of the stenosis 28 by the indicated vessel contour has been achieved, the final position and shape of the indicated vessel contour can be stored for subsequent use, for example in a geometric or functional vessel analysis tool.

[0086] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computer program or a computer program element 16 is provided, characterized in that it is adapted to perform the method steps of the method according to one of the preceding embodiments, for example in the case of reference Figure 1 Description on appropriate equipment.

[0087] The computer program element 16 may thus be stored on a computer unit, which may also be part of an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the computer program may be stored as described in reference Figure 1 The processing unit 20 of the described device operates.

[0088] The computing unit may be adapted to perform the steps of the method described above or induce the execution of the steps of the method described above. In addition, it may be adapted to operate the components of the device described above. The computing unit can be adapted to automatically operate and / or execute the user's command. The computer program can be loaded into the working memory of the data processor. The data processor can thus be equipped to perform the method of the present invention.

[0089] This exemplary embodiment of the invention covers both a computer program that right from the beginning uses the invention and a computer program that by means of an up-date turns an existing program into a program that uses the invention.

[0090] Furthermore, the computer program element can provide all necessary steps for implementing the procedures of an exemplary embodiment of the method as described above.

[0091] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, a computer readable medium 18, such as a CD-ROM, is proposed, wherein the computer readable medium has a computer program unit stored on the computer readable medium, and the computer program unit 16 is described in the previous part. The computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium provided with other hardware or as part of other hardware, but the computer program can also be distributed in other forms, such as distributed via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0092] However, the computer program may also be present on a network like the World Wide Web and can be downloaded from such a network into a working memory of a data processor. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a medium for making a computer program element available for downloading is provided, wherein the computer program element is arranged to perform a method according to one of the previously described embodiments of the invention.

[0093] It must be noted that embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to different subject matters. Specifically, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims, while other embodiments are described with reference to device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate from the above and following descriptions that, unless otherwise indicated, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, any combination between features relating to different subject matters is also considered to be disclosed by the present application. However, all features can be combined to provide synergistic effects that exceed the simple sum of the features.

[0094] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such description and illustration are to be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0095] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A device for interacting with a blood vessel image, the device (14) comprising: Interface unit (22); a processing unit (20), and a display (21) for displaying a blood vessel image (24), Wherein, the interface unit (22) is configured to receive user input regarding the blood vessel image (24); Wherein, the processing unit (20) is configured as follows: determining a blood vessel contour (30) for at least one blood vessel (26) in the blood vessel image (24); determining an identifier location (36) in the blood vessel image (24) based on the user input, wherein the user input defines the identifier location (36) using an identifier on the blood vessel image; indicating at least a portion (38) of the blood vessel contour (30) in the blood vessel image (24) if the determined identifier position (36) is spaced apart from the blood vessel contour (30) by a distance (37) within a predefined distance range; determining a drag direction (42) based on the user input, wherein the user input defines the drag direction (42) by a drag movement of the identifier; and The indicated portion (38) is moved along the blood vessel contour (30) based on the determined drag direction (42).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit (20) is further configured to: The indicated portion (38) is moved along the blood vessel contour (30) when the angle between the determined drag direction (42) and the indicated portion (38) is within a first predefined angle range (33).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The processing unit (20) is further configured to deform the blood vessel contour (30) at the indicated portion (38) when the angle between the dragging direction and the indicated portion (38) is within a second predefined angular range (35), thereby resulting in a deformed indicated portion of the blood vessel contour (30) in the blood vessel image (24).

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The processing unit (20) is further configured to move the deformed indicated portion along the blood vessel contour (30) in the blood vessel image (24) when the angle between the dragging direction and the indicated portion (38) is within the first predefined angular range (33) after deforming the blood vessel contour (30).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The processing unit (20) is further configured to increase the length of the indicated portion (38) of the blood vessel contour (30) by a predefined growth rate before determining the dragging direction (42), wherein the period of increasing length begins with the detection of the identifier position (36) and ends with the detection of the dragging direction (42).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The interface unit (22) is a touch screen including the display (21), wherein the user input occurs by touch interaction on the display (21) within the blood vessel image (24).

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The interface unit (22) includes a mouse and / or an electronic pen.

8. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The first predefined angular range (33) is within the range from +45° to -45° and from +135° to -135°.

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The second predefined angular range (35) is in the range from +45° to +135° and from -45° to -135°.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The predefined distance range is in the range from 1 mm to 50 mm.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The predefined distance range is in the range from 2 mm to 40 mm.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein The predefined distance range is in the range from 3 mm to 30 mm.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein: The predefined distance range is in the range from 4 mm to 20 mm.

14. A system for interacting with a blood vessel image, the system (10) comprising: Image acquisition device (12); as well as A device (14) for interacting with a blood vessel image according to any one of claims 1 to 13; The image acquisition device (12) is configured to acquire and provide a blood vessel image (24); and The device (14) for interacting with a blood vessel image is configured to receive the blood vessel image (24).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The image acquisition device (12) is configured to provide two-dimensional image data of a blood vessel image (24), Wherein, the image acquisition device (12) is a blood vessel angiography device.

16. A method for interacting with a blood vessel image, the method (100) comprising the following steps: displaying (101) a blood vessel image on a display; determining (102) a blood vessel contour for at least one blood vessel in the blood vessel image; determining (103) an identifier position in the blood vessel image based on a user input, wherein the user input defines the identifier position using an identifier on the blood vessel image; indicating (104) at least a portion of the blood vessel contour in the blood vessel image if the determined identifier position is spaced apart from the blood vessel contour by a distance within a predefined distance range; determining (106) a drag direction based on the user input, wherein the user input defines the drag direction by a drag movement of the identifier; and The indicated portion is moved (107) along the outline based on the determined drag direction.

17. A computer program element (16) for controlling an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13 or a system according to claim 14 or 15, the computer program element being adapted to perform the steps of the method according to claim 16 when run by a processing unit.

18. A computer-readable medium (18) having stored thereon a program element according to claim 17.

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