Silhouette Blend Rendering of Anatomical Structures

• US 20080278492A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Mielekamp, Peter, Ruijters, Danny
• Granted Patent: US 8,427,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/426
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/503 Blending, e.g. for anti-aliasing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/4015 Image demosaicing, e.g. colour filter arrays [CFA] or Bayer patterns

Abstract

Systems and methods for rendering advantageous images/views of an anatomical structure, e.g., vessel structure(s), and surrounding anatomical features/structures are provided. The disclosed systems and methods combine conventional 3D x-ray rotational angiography (3DRA) with a diagnostic scan of the relevant anatomical region, e.g., a CT or MR scan, to yield a combined image/view thereof. The image includes silhouette rendering of structures and/or vessel anatomy below the CT/MRI slab, i.e., obscured vessel structures, thereby allowing clinicians and other medical/surgical staff to develop a better understanding of vessel morphology and relationships between vessel pathology and surrounding branches/anatomical structures.

Claims

1. A method for generating an image, comprising:

a) obtaining 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) data set(s) for an anatomical structure;

b) obtaining diagnostic data set(s) for an anatomical region;

c) combining the 3DRA data set(s) and the diagnostic data set(s); and

d) generating an image that includes a slab derived from the diagnostic data set(s) and the anatomical structure derived from the 3DRA data set(s);

wherein the image of the anatomical structure includes a silhouette view of a portion of the anatomical structure that is obscured by the slab.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising segmenting the 3DRA data sets associated with the anatomical structure.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising generating a triangulated mesh from the segmented 3DRA data set(s).

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the anatomical structure is a vessel, vessel tree or vasculature.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic data set is obtained from a diagnostic imaging system selected from the group consisting of a CT imaging system, a MR imaging system, an XperCT imaging system, or the like.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the image is generated based on a manually entered selection.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the selection is made by a system user interacting with a keyboard, mouse or the like.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the 3DRA data set(s) and the diagnostic data set(s) are transmitted to data storage across a network.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the data storage is in communication with at least one processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is programmed to combine the 3DRA data set(s) and the diagnostic data set(s) to generate the image.

10. A system for generating an image, comprising:

a) at least one computer storage unit that includes one or more databases; and

b) at least one processing unit in communication with the at least one computer storage unit and being programmed to;

i. combine 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) data set(s) associated with an anatomical structure and diagnostic data set(s) associated with an anatomical region; and

ii. generate an image that includes a slab derived from the diagnostic data set(s) and the anatomical structure derived from the 3DRA data set(s), wherein the image of the anatomical structure includes a silhouette view of a portion of the anatomical structure that is obscured by the slab

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one processing unit is further programmed to segment the 3DRA data sets associated with the anatomical structure.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processing unit is further programmed to generate a triangulated mesh from the segmented 3DRA data set(s).

13. A system according to claim 10, wherein the anatomical structure is a vessel, vessel tree or vasculature.

14. A system according to claim 10, wherein the diagnostic data set is obtained from a diagnostic imaging system selected from the group consisting of a CT imaging system, a MR imaging system, an XperCT imaging system, or the like.

15. A system according to claim 10, wherein the image is generated based on a manually entered selection that is communicated to the at least one processing unit.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the selection is made by a system user interacting with a keyboard, mouse or the like.

17. A system according to claim 10, wherein the 3DRA data set(s) and the diagnostic data set(s) are transmitted to the at least one computer storage unit across a network.