Device enhancement using rotational X-ray angiography

Implantable cardiac devices, such as stents and septal defect closure devices are sometimes difficult to see on angiographic X-ray projection images. We present a method to enhance the visibility of these devices in rotational X-ray angiography acquisitions using automated marker detection and motion compensation. Automatic marker detection allows registration of the devices in the images of the rotational run. Motion compensation is done by warping the images to a specific reference position. Averaging multiple of those motion compensated images together with the reference frame results in an enhanced image with improved visibility due to an increase in contrast of the device with the background structure. This allows the clinician to look at the device from multiple angles with an improved visibility of the device to better appreciate the 3D geometry of the device. In particular, enhancement of rotational acquisitions compared to standard enhanced fixed-angle acquisitions allows the clinician to better perceive any asymmetry in the deployed device.