Method and system for simulating X-ray images

• US 20070086559A1
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Dobbs, Niels Kjaer
• Original Assignee: Andrew Dobbs, Niels Kjaer
• Inventors: Kjaer, Niels, Dobbs, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/635,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20070086559A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5223 generating planar views from image data, e.g. extracting a coronal view from a 3D image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/286 for scanning or photography techniques, e.g. X-rays, ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to simulating 2D X-ray images from 3D CT data. A user can access a repository of CT data of a patient'"'"'s anatomy 2 by using a computer network system. The CT data has been obtained by a CT scanning of the patient 1. Firstly, the user retrieves the CT image data 3 and a 3D image is generated 4. Secondly, the user may orient the CT image in any orientation desirable with respect to a virtual X-ray source and a virtual image plane. Thirdly, a 2D X-ray image is simulated 6 from the chosen viewpoint and shown to the user.

Claims

1. A method of generating a simulated 2D X-ray image from CT data of a patient'"'"'s anatomy, said method comprising:

CT scanning the patient to generate corresponding CT data at a first time instance;

storing the CT data in a data repository;

retrieving the CT data at a second time instance after the first time instance;

generating a 3D CT image of the anatomy from the CT data; and

positioning a virtual X-ray source relative to a virtual image plane to generate a corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image being generated from an unrestricted viewpoint, wherein simulation algorithms are texture based and adapted with special accumulation, color, and opacity buffers in such a manner that Beer'"'"'s law is approximated regarding transmission and scattering of photons through physical media.

2. A method according claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using parallel propagating X-rays, so that the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated free of parallax distortion.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using divergent X-rays, so that the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated with parallax distortion as in actual X-ray images.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using a parameter representing a voltage of an X-ray tube.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using a parameter representing an exposure of the patient.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using a parameter representing a focal spot size.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding 2D simulated X-ray image is simulated using ray casting of the X-rays.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the CT data of patient anatomy is based on data which conforms to a DICOM standard implemented on PACS system.

9. A computer readable medium encoded with a computer program adapted to perform the method of claim 1, when said program is run on a computer system.

10. A system for generating a simulated 2D X-ray image from CT data of a patient'"'"'s anatomy, said system comprising:

a first device and a at least second device, where the first device and at least second device are interconnected in a computer network;

where the first device stores CT data of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; and

where the at least second device includes a visualization device and an inputting device capable of accepting request actions,

wherein the patient CT data is accessed from the at least second device, so that a 3D CT image of a patient, and subsequently the simulated 2D X-ray image is visualized on the visualization device included in the at least second device, and

a processing device that processes simulation algorithms which are texture based and adapted with special accumulation, color, and opacity buffers in such a manner that Beer'"'"'s law is approximated regarding transmission and scattering of photons through physical media.