Diagnostic device having means for setting transfer functions

• US 7,079,140 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2001
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Boehler, Bert, Platz, Axel, Knapheide, Claus, Weyermann, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tung, Kee M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAPPAS, PETER
• Application Number:
  US10/039,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 345/424, 345/440
• US Class Current: 345/440
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/08 Volume rendering

Abstract

A diagnostic device has a modality for generating raw data representing contents of a volume, a computer for calculating three-dimensional medical images from the raw data, an image system, an input device for setting a transfer function required for an algorithm and a display device for the medical images. The image system determines a histogram distribution of the gray-scale values, and the image system inserts user interface graphics into the displayed image which shows the histogram distribution of the gray-scale values in a histogram window and symbolically represents a trapezoidal transfer function on which values characterizing input fields for transfer functions are arranged at the associated points. A transfer function is on the basis of entries in the input fields and the selected transfer function is inserted in the histogram distribution of the gray-scale values.

Claims

1. A diagnostic device comprising:

an arrangement for generating raw data representing contents of a volume;

a computer connected to said arrangement for calculating gray-scale values, representing a three-dimensional image of said volume contents, from said raw data;

an image system connected to said computer for generating image signals, according to an algorithm employing an algorithmic trapezoidal transfer function which assigns at least one optical property to the respective gray-scale values, from said gray-scale values;

a monitor connected to said image system and supplied with said image signals for displaying said three-dimensional image;

a user-operable input unit connected to said image system;

said image system generating a histogram distribution of said gray-scale values and displaying user interface graphics on said monitor including a histogram window in which said histogram distribution is displayed, said image system in said graphics also displaying a symbolic trapezoidal transfer function with a plurality of input fields respectively associated with different points of said symbolic trapezoidal transfer function, said input unit allowing entries into said input fields to set the algorithmic trapezoidal transfer function employed in said algorithm, and said image system inserting a representation of the algorithmic trapezoidal transfer function in said histogram window; and

said image system displays a selection bar in said graphics and representing all of said plurality of algorithmic trapezoidal transfer functions, which are selectable via said selection bar, in said histogram window, and said input unit allowing one of a plurality of algorithmic transfer functions identified by said selection bar to be selected for representation in said graphics, and said image system marking the set algorithmic trapezoidal transfer function at said points of said symbolic trapezoidal transfer function.

2. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said symbolic trapezoidal transfer function has corner points, and wherein said input fields are respectively associated with said corner points and wherein said input unit allows, by respective entries in said input fields, selection of said corner points and thus selection of their respective gray-scale range.

3. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one optical property is selected from the group consisting of brightness, color and transparency, and wherein said image system displays an input field in said graphics allowing said at least one optical property to be varied via said input unit.

4. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said histogram distribution displayed in said histogram window has a gray-scale value range, and wherein said image system displays a scroll bar in said graphics allowing, via said input unit, variation of said gray-scale range.

5. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said image system generates said image signals according to a volume rendering algorithm.

6. A diagnostic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said image system comprises a memory in which a plurality of different algorithmic trapezoidal transfer functions are stored, and wherein said image system displays an input field in said graphics allowing selection, via said input unit, of one of the algorithmic trapezoidal transfer functions stored in said memory for use as said algorithmic trapezoidal transfer function employed in said algorithm.