Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for determining a centerline through a region of interest in a 3D image dataset is provided. The method includes identifying the boundaries of the region of interest and identifying the endpoints of the region of interest. For those points within the boundaries, a penalty value which is a function of the proximity of the point to a boundary is determined. A centerline is then identified by the path connecting the endpoints which has the minimum penalized distance wherein the penalized distance reflects the actual accumulated pathlength and the penalties associated with the points along the path. From the centerline, branches of a complete skeleton can be established by determining branch endpoints and then finding the minimum penalized distance from each endpoint the centerline or another intersecting branch.

Abstract: A method of computer aided treatment planning is performed by generating and manipulating a three dimensional (3D) image of a region which includes at least one anatomical structure for which treatment, such as surgery, biopsy, tissue component analysis, prosthesis implantation, radiation, chemotherapy and the like, is contemplated. A virtual intervention, which simulates at least a portion of the contemplated treatment, is performed in the 3D image. The user can then determine the effect of the intervention and interactively modify the intervention for improved treatment results. Preferably, a warning is automatically provided if the intervention posses a risk of detrimental effect. The user can navigate through the contemplated region in the 3D image and assess the results. The treatment plans can be saved for comparison and post treatment evaluation.

Abstract: A system and method for texture-based volume rendering accelerated by contouring texture hulls is provided. Bounding geometries, such as rectangles, cuboids, or the like surrounding the non-empty regions as well as the contouring borders of the non-empty regions are found. The bounding shapes are treated as the hulls of the non-empty sub-textures. The nonempty sub-textures are stored and rendered. Texels outside the hulls are skipped.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Virtual colonoscopy can be enhanced by electronically removing residual stool, fluid and non-colonic tissue from the image of the colon, by employing bowel preparation followed by image segmentation operations. Methods are also employed for virtually expanding regions of colon collapse using image segmentation results.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Virtual colonoscopy can be enhanced by electronically removing residual stool, fluid and non-colonic tissue from the image of the colon, by employing bowel preparation followed by image segmentation operations. Methods are also employed for virtually expanding regions of colon collapse using image segmentation results.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Virtual colonoscopy can be enhanced by electronically removing residual stool, fluid and non-colonic tissue from the image of the colon, by employing bowel preparation followed by image segmentation operations. Methods are also employed for virtually expanding regions of colon collapse using image segmentation results.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Improved fly-path generation and volume rendering techniques provide enhanced navigation through, and examination of, a region of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object. Virtual colonoscopy can be enhanced by electronically removing residual stool, fluid and non-colonic tissue from the image of the colon, by employing bowel preparation followed by image segmentation operations. Methods are also employed for virtually expanding regions of colon collapse using image segmentation results.

Abstract: Methods for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object, such as an internal organ, using volume visualization techniques are provided. The techniques include a multi-scan imaging method; a multi-resolution imaging method; and a method for generating a skeleton of a complex three dimension object. The applications include virtual cystoscopy, virtual laryngoscopy, virtual angiography, among others.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system which allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ. An electronic biopsy can also be performed on an identified growth or mass in the visualized object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for parallel and perspective real-time volume visualization. The method employs ray-slice-sweeping and includes the steps of selecting viewing and processing parameters; initializing a compositing buffer; sampling voxel values from a three dimensional memory buffer onto a current slice of sample points; combining the sample point values with pixels of the compositing buffer along a plurality of interstice ray segments which extend only between the current slice and an adjacent slice associated with the compositing buffer; and repeating the sampling and combining steps by subsequentially sweeping through subsequent slices of sample points parallel to the first processing slice until the last processing slice is reached. Each of the subsequent slices in turn becomes the current slice. The apparatus includes a three dimensional buffer; a pixel bus; a plurality of rendering pipelines; and a control unit.

Abstract: This and other objects are provided in a method for displaying and managing a set of related images. The invention includes design of screen area in terms of how many, how big, and where workspaces are located. The invention assigns image sets to different workspaces; creates a tree of workspace setups for a specific image viewing session; and allows customization of the tree on a per user, per workstation type basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing real-time processing of voxels and real-time volume visualization of objects and scenes in a highly parallel and pipelined manner includes a three dimensional (3-D) skewed memory, two dimensional (2-D) skewed buffers, 3-D interpolation and shading of data points, and signal compositing. The method and apparatus implement ray-casting, a powerful volume rendering technique. Viewing rays are cast from the viewing position into a cubic frame buffer and beams of voxels, which are parallel to the face of the cubic frame buffer, are accessed. At evenly spaced sample points along each viewing ray, each sample point is tri-linearly interpolated using values of surrounding voxels. Central differences of voxels around the sample points yield a gradient which is used as a surface normal approximation. Using the gradient and the interpolated sample values, a local shading model is applied and a sample opacity is assigned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing real-time processing of voxels and real-time volume visualization of objects and scenes in a highly parallel and pipelined manner using a three dimensional (3-D) skewed memory, a modular fast bus, two dimensional (2-D) skewed buffers, 3-D interpolation and shading of data points, and a ray projection cone. The method and apparatus permit investigation and viewing of real-time static (3-D) and dynamic (4-D) high resolution volumetric data sets such as those found in medical imaging, biology, non-destructive quality assurance, scientific visualization, computer aided design (CAD), flight simulation, realistic graphics and the like. The method and apparatus implement ray-casting, a powerful volume rendering technique. Viewing rays are cast from the viewing position into a cubic frame buffer. At evenly spaced sample points along each viewing ray, the data is tri-linearly interpolated using values of surrounding voxels.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides real-time reorientation of stored data and real-time visualization for high resolution volumetric datasets from an arbitrary designed viewing direction. The apparatus includes a modularized memory having a plurality of memory modules wherein each memory module includes a plurality of memory storage units capable of storing voxel data therein. The apparatus also includes reorientation unit coupled to each of the plurality of memory modules for simultaneously receiving voxel data from memory storage units of each memory module. The reorientation unit simultaneously provides the voxel data corresponding to a first memory storage unit to a second memory storage unit according to a desired viewing direction.

Abstract: A method for generating realistic images using discrete representations employs a discrete voxel based representation of the scene within a three-dimensional (3-D) Cubic Frame Buffer of infinitesimal voxels. Each voxel stores information corresponding to the attributes of that portion of the scene. Numerous sight rays are traversed through the Cubic Frame Buffer. When a non-transparent infinitesimal voxel is encountered by a traversing sight ray, a hit is recognized. The attributes of that portion of the object that is encountered are then used for generating secondary rays. Depending upon the number and characteristics of the secondary rays that are generated, an appropriate representation of the scene can be generated from any viewing direction.

Abstract: A device for generating parallel and perspective projections of 3-D voxel-based images, viewed along arbitrary viewing directions. The method involves using retrieval parameters to retrieve voxels of the 3-D voxel-based image from discrete 3-D voxel space. Then, the 3-D voxel-based image is viewed along an arbitrary viewing direction specified by viewing parameters in a manner independent of the retrieval parameters. Apparatus is also provided using a 3-D voxel-based image viewed along an arbitrary viewing direction specified by viewing parameters in a manner independent of the retrieval parameters. Apparatus is also provided utilizing a 3-D memory storage device organized in accordance with a 3-D skewed memory storage scheme, and providing for conflict-free retrieval of voxel-based retrieval rays along a retrieval direction of the memory storage device.

Abstract: Method of converting continuous 3-D geometrical representations into a discrete set of voxels in discrete 3-D voxel space. In one embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D straight line segment into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In another embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial curve segment into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial surface patch into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. Yet in another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial volume element into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. The method of the present invention is incremental in nature and uses all integer arithmetic.

Abstract: A method of converting continuous 3-D (three dimension) geometrical representations of polygonal objects into a discrete set of voxels in discrete 3-D voxel space. In one embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D polygon into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In this embodiment, voxel-based polygons having a wide variety of connectivities are generated. In another embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D polyhedron into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. The method is incremental in nature and uses all integer arithmetic. The method is also characterized by decisional process loops, rather than brute-force type computational loops characteristic of prior art methodologies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing to and accessing from a memory device, one or more voxels of a beam disposed along one or more of a plurality of storage/retrieval directions of a 3-D matrix array in 3-D discrete voxel space. Voxels are stored into memory space by mapping the voxels along one of the plurality of storage/retrieval directions, into a plurality of independently addressable memory modules in memory storage space. Each memory module is indexed by a memory module index and has internal memory cell addresses. The mapping is carried out in accordance with a linear skewing function which expressed in terms of x, y, and z coordinate directions and integer n. The voxels can be retrieved along one or more of a plurality of storage/retrieval directions by de-mapping one or more of the voxels from the memory storage space into 3-D voxel space using spacial parameters and integer n.