Abstract: This invention relates to a novel technique for producing images of arteries that overcomes a significant limitation of conventional computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The technique is performed by the acquisition of pre-contrast computed tomography in addition to the conventional computed tomographic angiography and by the digital subtraction of the pre-contrast computed tomogram from the conventional CTA after alignment of the two images.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel technique for producing images of arteries that overcomes a significant limitation of conventional computed tomographic angiography (CTA). The technique is performed by the acquisition of pre-contrast computed tomography in addition to the conventional computed tomographic angiography and by the digital subtraction of the pre-contrast computed tomogram from the conventional CTA after alignment of the two images.

Abstract: Delineating vessels in an angiogram involves two methods: graph generation and skeletonization. Generating a graph includes obtaining a digital image of an angiogram, recognizing a first growth point within the image, and identifying region boundary points around the growth point. The region boundary points are connected to the first growth point, thereby creating edges of a graph. The boundary point that has the greatest intensity is then selected as a second growth point, and additional region boundary points around the second growth point are identified. The additional region growth points are connected to the second growth point. The region boundary point with the greatest intensity in the image is then selected as a third growth point, and the method repeats until each point in the image is connected to another point in the graph. The skeletonization of the graph begins with recognizing a point in the graph as an endpoint of a vessel.

Abstract: Delineating vessels in an angiogram involves two methods; graph generation and skeletonization. Generating a graph includes obtaining a digital image of an angiogram, recognizing a first growth point within the image, and identifying region boundary points around the growth point. The region boundary points are connected to the first growth point, thereby creating edges of a graph. The boundary point that has the greatest intensity is then selected as a second growth point, and additional region boundary points around the second growth point are identified. The additional region growth points are connected to the second growth point. The region boundary point with the greatest intensity in the image is then selected as a third growth point, and the method repeats until each point in the image is connected to another point in the graph. The skeletonization of the graph begins with recognizng a point in the graph as an endpoint of a vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus, article of manufacture, and method for modeling an elongated object located internal to a body (e.g., blood vessels such as the carotid artery or the renal artery). Magnetic resonance data of the area of concern is collected. The magnetic resonance data is analyzed, extracting gradient information. The extracted gradient information may include the gradient of the magnitude gradient. Contemporaneously, a tubular coordinate system is interactively generated as an initial model of the artery. An axis and a reference circumferential direction are defined for the coordinate system with radial lines extending outward from the axis. Intersecting radial lines are merged. All vertices at radial and circumferential positions are initialized with the extracted gradient information. Then, the initialized model is deformed subjecting initialized vertices to image and smoothing forces, thereby completing the surface model of the artery, effectively reconstructing the artery surface.