Method and apparatus for visualizing a 3D data set

• US 6,931,093 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Klotz, Erhard Paul Artur, Koppe, Reiner, Op De Beek, Johannes Catharina Antonius
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US10/477,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20040131149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/8, 378/15, 378/19, 378/21, 378/22, 378/23, 378/901
• US Class Current: 378/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4225 using image intensifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/006 Inverse problem, transformation from projection-space into object-space, e.g. transform methods, back-projection, algebraic methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2211/436 Limited angle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/32 Transforming X-rays cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from X-rays H04N23/30; circuitry of SSIS for transforming X-rays into image signals H04N25/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 378/901 Computer tomography program or processor

Abstract

For imaging a 3D data set the method of the invention comprises the following steps in succession: acquisition of images, reconstructing a 3D data set, followed by visualization, the reconstruction being started with a limited initial range of orientations around the direction of a local midprojection from a starting point so as to be visualized, the acquisition being continued during visualization and the reconstruction being updated in accordance with the additional acquisition obtained up to a final result. In particular, the selected part comprises a first visualization covering a range of from about 40° to 60°, with a midprojection at about from 20° to 30°.

Claims

1. A method for imaging a 3D data set, said method comprising the following steps in succession:

acquisition of images, reconstructing a 3D data set, followed by visualization, said method being characterized in that initially the reconstruction is started with a limited initial range of orientations around the direction of a local midprojection from a starting point and is visualized, said acquisition being continued during visualization and the reconstruction being updated in accordance with the additional acquisition obtained up to a final result.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first reconstruction covers a range of from about 40°

to 60°

from the starting point, with a midprojection at about from 20°

to 30°

.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first reconstruction is followed by a second reconstruction covering a range from the starting point of about from 60°

to 90°

, with a midprojection at about from 30°

to 45°

.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reconstruction is continued until the full range has been covered.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein visualization is carried out immediately after completion of the reconstruction of a range.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the final reconstruction covers a range of 180°

.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first reconstruction covers a range of from about 40°

to 60°

from the starting point, with a midprojection at about from 20°

to 30°

.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first reconstruction is followed by a second reconstruction covering a range from the starting point of from about 60°

to 90°

, with a midprojection at from about 30°

to 45°

.

9. An apparatus for visualizing continuously increasing ranges of a 3D medical data set, said apparatus comprising:

an X-ray source (12) which may be moved with respect to an object (3) to be investigated and faces at least one X-ray detector (13) for collecting the images over a range with data processing means (16), said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises means allowing visualization of at least one set of X-ray images over a range of less than 180°

with the X-ray image in a plane perpendicular to the midprojection of the range, and continued extension of the range.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the final range covers 180°

.