Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) motion compensated imaging system

A motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image processing system, comprising:

• an interface for acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels;
• and
• an image data processor for automatically,
• (a) determining a plurality of first shift vectors for a corresponding plurality of images of said sequence for compensating for shift between individual images of said plurality of images and a first reference image of said sequence,
• (b) applying the determined first shift vectors to said corresponding plurality of images to produce a plurality of shifted images,
• (c) subtracting said first reference image from said plurality of shifted images to produce subtracted images comprising a digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) sequence enhancing vessel structure,
• (d) determining a plurality of second shift vectors for a corresponding plurality of images of the DSA sequence exhibiting presence of contrast agent for compensating for shift between individual images of said plurality of images of said DSA sequence and a second reference image of the DSA sequence and
• (e) shifting content of said individual images of said plurality of images of said DSA sequence relative to said second reference image in response to said plurality of second shift vectors, to provide a shifted DSA sequence enhancing and aligning vessel structure.

A motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) image processing system, comprising:

• an interface for acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels;
• and
• an image data processor for automatically,
• (a) determining a plurality of first shift vectors for a corresponding plurality of images of said sequence for compensating for shift between individual images of said plurality of images and a first reference image of said sequence,
• (b) applying the determined first shift vectors to said corresponding plurality of images to produce a plurality of shifted images,
• (c) subtracting said first reference image from said plurality of shifted images to produce subtracted images comprising a digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) sequence enhancing vessel structure,
• (d) determining a plurality of second shift vectors for a corresponding plurality of images of the DSA sequence exhibiting presence of contrast agent for compensating for shift between individual images of said plurality of images of said DSA sequence and corresponding respective immediately preceding images of said individual images of said plurality of images of said DSA sequence;
• and
• (e) shifting content of said individual images of said plurality of images of said DSA sequence relative to said second reference image in response to said plurality of second shift vectors, to provide a shifted DSA sequence enhancing and aligning vessel structure.

A method for providing motion compensated digitally subtracted Angiography (DSA) images, comprising the activities of:

• acquiring a sequence of images of patient vessels both prior to and following introduction of contrast agent into the vessels;
• and
• automatically,
• (a) determining a first shift vector for a first image of said sequence for compensating for shift between said first image and a first reference image of said sequence,
• (b) applying the determined first shift vector to said first image of said sequence to produce a shifted image,
• (c) subtracting said first reference image from said shifted image to produce a subtracted image enhancing vessel structure,
• (d) determining a second shift vector for compensating for shift between said subtracted image and a second reference image and
• (e) shifting content of said subtracted image relative to said second reference image in response to said second shift vector, to provide a shifted subtracted image enhancing and aligning vessel structure.