Method and device for determining a three-dimensional form of a body from two-dimensional projection images

• US 20050015003A1
• Filed: 07/13/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Seifferth, Falko, Lachner, Rainer, Vilsmeier, Stefan, Feilkas, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/10 Constructive solid geometry [CSG] using solid primitives, e.g. cylinders, cubes

Abstract

A method for determining a three-dimensional form of a body from two-dimensional projection images includes producing at least one projection image of the body and producing corresponding model projection images from a generic model of the body. The body projection images and the model can be input into a computer-assisted processing unit and the generic model can be adjusted to the body by comparing image contents of the body projection images with the model projections images at a two-dimensional level only. The three-dimensional form of the body can be determined from the adjusted generic model.

Claims

1. A method for determining a three-dimensional form of an anatomical body from two-dimensional projection images, said method comprising:

producing at least one projection image of the body;

producing corresponding model projection images from a generic model of the body;

inputting the body projection images and the model projection images from the generic body model into a computer-assisted processing unit;

adjusting the generic model to the body; and

determining the three-dimensional form of the body from the adjusted generic model.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein adjusting the generic model to the body includes adjusting at least one of (i) the form and (ii) the position of the generic model.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein adjusting the generic model to the body includes comparing image contents of the body projection images with the model projection images.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein comparing image contents of the body projection images with the model projection images is determined at only a two-dimensional level.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body projection images are x-ray images.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the model projection images are digitally reconstructed x-ray images which originate from volume or surface data sets for the model.

7. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein comparing the image contents of the body projection images and the model projection images includes comparing at least one of (i) outer contours of the projection images and (ii) features of the projection images within the outer contours.

8. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein comparing the image contents of the body projection images and the model projection images includes comparing depth information in the projection images.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein producing the model projection images includes determining projection parameters of the body projection images while producing the body projection images.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the projection parameters are determined using a tracking system for the body and a recording device for the body projection images.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the generic model is automatically adjusted by way of statistical deformation.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the generic model is adjusted at least partially interactively with the aid of user inputs, wherein a free-form deformation model is used.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a generic surface data set model is used for producing corresponding model projection images, data from the generic surface data set model being used when adjusting the model.

14. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a generic volume data set model is used for producing corresponding model projection images, data from the generic volume data set model being used when adjusting the model.

15. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a generic volume data set model and a generic surface data set model are used together or alternatively for producing corresponding model projection images, data from the generic volume data set model and the generic surface data set model being used when adjusting the model.

16. A device for determining a three-dimensional form of a body from two-dimensional projection images, said device comprising:

an image forming device which produces at least one projection image of the body; and

a computer-assisted data and/or image processing device which produces model projection images corresponding to the body projection images from a generic model of the body, wherein the body projection images and the model projection images are inputted into the data and/or image processing device using a data transfer means, said data and/or image processing device including;

a component for adjusting the generic model to the body, wherein the form and, if necessary, the position of the generic model is adjusted, and wherein the match between the generic model and the body is determined at the two-dimensional level by comparing the image contents of the body projection images with the model projection images; and

a component for determining the three-dimensional form of the body from the adjusted generic model.

17. The device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the image forming device is a digital x-ray device.