Method and system for producing interactive three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs having hollow lumens to enable simulated movement through the lumen
First Claim
1. A method of imaging a colon to obtain a desired cross-sectional image of at least one substantially thin segment of the colon, which image is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the colon lumen, comprising the steps of:
- (a) inflating the colon with gas;
(b) scanning the abdominal region by using scanner means to obtain initial sets of data representing a plurality of first cross-sectional images of the entire colon taken along the longitudinal axis of the abdomen;
(c) storing said initial sets of data in a memory;
(d) processing said initial sets of data to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the colon;
(e) storing data representing said three-dimensional image in said memory;
(f) displaying said three-dimensional image on a display;
(g) using input means to select at least one substantially thin segment of said displayed three-dimensional image;
(h) processing said initial sets of data and said three-dimensional image data to calculate a reconstructed cross-sectional image for said at least one segment that is disposed in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the colon lumen; and
(i) storing data representing said reconstructed cross-sectional image in memory.
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Abstract
A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.
330 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of imaging a colon to obtain a desired cross-sectional image of at least one substantially thin segment of the colon, which image is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the colon lumen, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inflating the colon with gas;
(b) scanning the abdominal region by using scanner means to obtain initial sets of data representing a plurality of first cross-sectional images of the entire colon taken along the longitudinal axis of the abdomen;
(c) storing said initial sets of data in a memory;
(d) processing said initial sets of data to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the colon;
(e) storing data representing said three-dimensional image in said memory;
(f) displaying said three-dimensional image on a display;
(g) using input means to select at least one substantially thin segment of said displayed three-dimensional image;
(h) processing said initial sets of data and said three-dimensional image data to calculate a reconstructed cross-sectional image for said at least one segment that is disposed in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the colon lumen; and
(i) storing data representing said reconstructed cross-sectional image in memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of imaging a viscous tubular structure within a body to obtain a desired cross-sectional image of at least one substantially thin segment of said viscous tubular structure, which image is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen of said viscous tubular structure, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inflating said viscous tubular structure;
(b) scanning the body region wherein said viscous tubular structure is located by using scanner means to obtain initial sets of data representing a plurality of first cross-sectional images of said viscous tubular structure taken along the longitudinal axis of the bodily region;
(c) storing said initial sets of data in a memory;
(d) processing said initial sets of data to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of said viscous tubular structure;
(e) storing data representing said three-dimensional image in said memory;
(f) displaying said three-dimensional image on a display;
(g) using input means to select at least one substantially thin segment of said displayed three-dimensional image;
(h) processing said initial sets of data and said three-dimensional image data to calculate a reconstructed cross-sectional image for said at least one segment that is disposed in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the lumen of said viscous tubular structure; and
(i) storing data representing said reconstructed cross-sectional image in memory.
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Specification