Abstract: A method of processing three-dimensional image data for volume-rendering from a viewpoint is described. Lower- and upper-bound-generating functions are used (7) to determine whether, across all possible values for the image voxels between respective lower and upper bounds, for each voxel (i) the voxel may be at least partially opaque under the opacity transfer function (8); and (ii) the voxel may be unoccluded from the viewpoint (9). A predetermined processing operation is then applied to these potentially-visible voxels, for which both determinations hold true (10) and the processed voxels may be rendered (11). The bound-generating functions and the processing operation are such that, for any three-dimensional image data, the value of a voxel after the processing operation will necessarily lie between the lower and upper bounds for that voxel.

Abstract: Rendering a time sequence of 2-D images includes obtaining ultrasound image data, applying time variant noise, and raytracing the ultrasound image data to render pixels of a 2-D image for each of a plurality of time steps.

Abstract: A method for rendering an image from ultrasound image data includes dividing the ultrasound image data into at least a first group of voxels and a second group of voxels, based on comparing voxel echo intensity to a threshold value. The method further includes processing the first group of voxels according to a first protocol and processing the second group of voxels according to a second protocol. The method further includes generating an image that includes both the first group of processed voxels and the second group of processed voxels to enhance realism of the rendered image.

Abstract: Methods and system for visualizing 3D ultrasound data are provided. One method includes obtaining image slices from a volumetric image data set and generating a ray profile using one or more rays through at least one of the image slices, wherein the one or more rays extend along a depth of the volumetric image data set. The method further includes identifying one or more seed points along the one or more rays and defining a clipping surface using the one or more seed points, wherein the clipping surface defines a rendering region within the volumetric image data set. The method also includes rendering a 3D image of the rendering region within the volumetric image data set.

Abstract: Rendering a time sequence of 2-D images includes obtaining ultrasound image data, applying time variant noise, and raytracing the ultrasound image data to render pixels of a 2-D image for each of a plurality of time steps.

Abstract: A method for rendering an image from ultrasound image data includes dividing the ultrasound image data into at least a first group of voxels and a second group of voxels, based on comparing voxel echo intensity to a threshold value. The method further includes processing the first group of voxels according to a first protocol and processing the second group of voxels according to a second protocol. The method further includes generating an image that includes both the first group of processed voxels and the second group of processed voxels to enhance realism of the rendered image.

Abstract: Methods and system for visualizing 3D ultrasound data are provided. One method includes obtaining image slices from a volumetric image data set and generating a ray profile using one or more rays through at least one of the image slices, wherein the one or more rays extend along a depth of the volumetric image data set. The method further includes identifying one or more seed points along the one or more rays and defining a clipping surface using the one or more seed points, wherein the clipping surface defines a rendering region within the volumetric image data set. The method also includes rendering a 3D image of the rendering region within the volumetric image data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a corresponding apparatus for multimodal visualization of volume data sets of an object, in particular a patient, comprising the following steps: acquiring a first volume data set of the object with a first imaging modality and a second volume data set of the object with a second imaging modality, said first and second volume data set each comprising a plurality of sample points and values (f1,f2) associated with said sample points, establishing a transfer function, said transfer function defining optical properties (c,?) of certain values (f1,f2) of said first and second volume data set, and visualizing the optical properties (c,?) of said certain values (f1,f2) of said first and second volume data set.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for determining a position in an image, in particular a medical image enables a reliable determination of positions of interest in images of a variety of structures by displaying a volume rendering of image data acquired from an object, in particular a patient, pointing at a structure of interest displayed in the volume rendering of the image data, generating a viewing ray profile comprising information characterizing a ray running through said structure of interest, selecting a contextual profile from various contextual profiles, each of said contextual profiles comprising a representative ray profile representing a viewing ray profile of a structure, in particular an anatomical structure, and comprising profile information, and determining a position within said structure of interest based on said profile information of said selected contextual profile in the case that the representative ray profile of said selected contextual profile is matching with at least a part o

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a corresponding apparatus for multimodal visualization of volume data sets of an object, in particular a patient, comprising the following steps: acquiring a first volume data set of the object with a first imaging modality and a second volume data set of the object with a second imaging modality, said first and second volume data set each comprising a plurality of sample points and values (f1, f2) associated with said sample points, establishing a transfer function, said transfer function defining optical properties (c, ?) of certain values (f1, f2) of said first and second volume data set, and visualizing the optical properties (c, ?) of said certain values (f1, f2) of said first and second volume data set.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for determining a position in an image, in particular a medical image enables a reliable determination of positions of interest in images of a variety of structures by displaying a volume rendering of image data acquired from an object, in particular a patient, pointing at a structure of interest displayed in the volume rendering of the image data, generating a viewing ray profile comprising information characterizing a ray running through said structure of interest, selecting a contextual profile from various contextual profiles, each of said contextual profiles comprising a representative ray profile representing a viewing ray profile of a structure, in particular an anatomical structure, and comprising profile information, and determining a position within said structure of interest based on said profile information of said selected contextual profile in the case that the representative ray profile of said selected contextual profile is matching with at least a part o

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for volume rendering of medical data sets comprises a display (11) for displaying at least one slice view (12) of a medical data set (18) of an object, in particular a patient. A user selection unit (13, 14, 15) enables a user to select a position on a structure of interest (SOI) in the at least one displayed slice view (12), a volume rendering unit (16) for determines a volume rendering (17) of the structure of interest (SOI) based on one or more first parameters. The first parameters characterize the view of the displayed volume rendering (17, 31) of the structure of interest (SOI), the volume rendering (17, 31) of the structure of interest (SOI) being displayed on the display (11).