Method and system for selecting and displaying medical image data
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for displaying image data acquired with a medical imaging system, the steps comprising:
- a) reconstructing a 3D image data set with the acquired image data;
b) producing an index image by projecting the 3D image data set;
c) displaying the index image on a display device;
d) producing a cursor on the display device which enables manual selection of a region of interest in the 3D image data set;
e) receiving input data which indicates the number of 2D sectional images to be produced;
f) receiving input data which indicates the spatial orientation of the 2D sectional images;
g) producing the 2D sectional images by extracting corresponding image data from the region of interest in the 3D image data set; and
h) displaying the 2D sectional images on a display device.
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Abstract
A CT system acquires a succession of 2D slice images which are combined to produce a 3D image data set. A projection image is produced from the 3D image data set and serves as an index which enables the operator to select a particular region of interest in the acquired 3D image data set. A specified number and orientation of slice images are then produced through the region of interest.
134 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for displaying image data acquired with a medical imaging system, the steps comprising:
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a) reconstructing a 3D image data set with the acquired image data;
b) producing an index image by projecting the 3D image data set;
c) displaying the index image on a display device;
d) producing a cursor on the display device which enables manual selection of a region of interest in the 3D image data set;
e) receiving input data which indicates the number of 2D sectional images to be produced;
f) receiving input data which indicates the spatial orientation of the 2D sectional images;
g) producing the 2D sectional images by extracting corresponding image data from the region of interest in the 3D image data set; and
h) displaying the 2D sectional images on a display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
projecting a ray into the 3D image data set from a location in the index image indicated by the cursor; and
selecting a voxel in the 3D image data set which is intersected by the projection ray.
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5. The method as recited in claim 4 in which the voxel is selected by determining the maximum intensity voxel intersected by the projection ray.
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6. The method as recited in claim 1 in which step f) includes analyzing the input data to determine if the 2D sectional images are to be oriented in an axial, sagital or coronal direction.
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7. The method as recited in claim 2 in which the particular voxel is at the center of the region of interest and the displayed 2D sectional images depict successive slices through the region of interest.
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8. The method as recited in claim 1 in which the medical imaging system is a CT system which acquires a series of 2D slice images and step a) is performed by combining the series of 2D slice images to form the 3D image data set.
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9. The method as recited in claim 8 in which steps a), b) and c) are performed as successive 2D slice images are being acquired by the CT system.
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10. A CT system which comprises:
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means for acquiring a succession of 2D slice images from a prescribed field of view;
means for combining the acquired 2D slice images to form a 3D image data set;
means for producing an index image of the 3D image data set;
means for using the index image for manually selecting a region of interest in the 3D image data set;
means for manually indicating a number of 2D sectional images;
means for manually indicating a spatial orientation of the 2D sectional images; and
means for displaying indicated 2D sectional images by using data from corresponding voxels in the 3D image data set. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification