Anatomical visualization and measurement system

• US 5,825,908 A
• Filed: 12/29/1995
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ledyard National Bank (Ledyard Financial Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Medical Media Systems
• Inventors: Pieper, Steven D., Chen, David T., McKenna, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, JON CARLTON
• Application Number:
  US08/581,055
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 382/131, 382/132, 382/286, 382/288, 364/413.13, 364/413.22, 128/653.2, 128/922, 378/21, 378/24, 378/25, 378/901, 600/425
• US Class Current: 382/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30004 Biomedical image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/62 of area, perimeter, diameter or volume
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/66 of image moments or centre of gravity

Abstract

The present invention provides an anatomical visualization and measurement system including a first database of 2-D slice images and a second database including a 3-D computer model defining a first software object. Apparatus is provided for selecting a 2-D slice image from the first database. Apparatus is also provided for inserting a second software object into the 3-D computer model. The second software object includes a planar surface and is inserted into the 3-D computer model at the position which corresponds to the position of the selected 2-D slice image relative to the scanned structure. Apparatus is also provided for texture mapping the 2-D slice image onto the planar surface. Display apparatus is provided for displaying an image which simultaneously provides a view of the first software object and the 2-D slice image texture mapped onto the planar surface. An apparatus and method are also provided for determining structural dimensions and volumes using appropriate scanned 2-D slice image information. The present invention permits an appropriate set of scanned 2-D images to be assembled into a 3-D database, information regarding selected structural features to be segmented out of the 3-D database, and measurements to be made based on these structural features. In addition, the present invention permits a set of oblique images to be generated based on these structural features, which oblique images may themselves be used for measurement purposes.

Claims

1. A system for determining a dimension of an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said system comprising:

means for assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;

means for extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;

means for specifying a measurement to be made based on said extracted anatomical feature; and

means for calculating the measurement so specified;

wherein said anatomical feature is the centerline of said anatomical structure, and wherein said system further comprises a cumulative sum table derived from said centerline, and said means for calculating utilize said cumulative sum table to determine a length measurement.

2. A system for determining a dimension of an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said system comprising:

means for assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;

means for extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database;

means for specifying a measurement to be made based on said extracted anatomical feature; and

means for calculating the measurement so specified;

wherein said system comprises a cumulative sum table derived from said anatomical feature, and further wherein said means for calculating utilize said cumulative sum table to determine a volume measurement.

3. A method for determining a length dimension of an anatomical structure using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning said anatomical structure, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) assembling said set of scanned 2-D slice images into a 3-D database;

(2) extracting an anatomical feature from the information contained in said 3-D database, said anatomical feature comprising the centerline of said anatomical structure, and generating a cumulative sum table derived from said centerline;

(3) specifying a length measurement to be made with respect to said cumulative sum table based on said extracted anatomical feature; and

(4) calculating the length measurement so specified.