Multimodal data fusion for intelligent cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment in the active vessel medical workstation

ActiveVessel is a new multimedia workstation that enables the visualization, acquisition, and handling of different medical image modalities on- and off-line for cardiology purposes. The workstation implements image decompression and browsing, video acquisition, reproduction, and storage for intravascular ultrasound (1VUS) and angiogram (X-ray) analysis. A distinctive implementation feature is the automatic image reconstruction with intensive use of 2D and 3D deformable models (snakes). The interactive interface allows the user to 'correct' deviations of catheter path reconstruction. An important characteristic feature of ActiveVessel is the interactive mode of model correction via mouse dragging. A novel technical solution for catheter path reconstruction is the integration with a magneto-sensitive micro-device (MSMD) inside the catheter/ vessel for faster and safer minimal invasive surgical intervention. This paper gives the overview of the entire system, its basic new functionalities, and the proposed technical solution of integration of four sensor modalities in cardiovascular practice.