Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method for projecting a virtual ray onto volume data to create an image and making it possible to realize speeding up without performing preprocessing. A virtual ray 22 is projected from an eye O onto an object 21, a position P at which the remaining light amount of the virtual ray 22 first attenuates is acquired, and a traveling distance d of the virtual ray 22 at the position P is acquired. To project an adjacent virtual ray 23, the virtual ray 23 is projected from a position O2 offset distance ?d smaller than the traveling distance d from the eye O by a predetermined value. Thus, when projection processing is performed, depth information d of the position P at which a first object is acquired on the virtual ray is stored and an adjacent virtual ray is projected from the position O2 offset ?d slightly smaller than the depth d, thereby skipping calculation.

Abstract: In MIP images in a related art, an image is rendered separately using volume data of each phase, whereby an almost still organ and blood vessel portions through which a contrast medium is passing are rendered separately for each phase. On the other hand, an MIP image according to an image processing method of the invention is rendered as one image by using the volume data of a plurality of phases, so that the whole of the blood vessel through which a contrast medium is passing can be displayed. Accordingly, the state of change in the blood stream can be displayed in one image, and the image can be put to work on precise diagnosis.

Abstract: An update system includes: a program server for storing application programs and transmitting the application program corresponding only to an authenticated client; a license server for transmitting information concerning the authenticated client to the program server and transmitting the license key of the application program to the authenticated client; and the client for executing the application program transmitted from the program server based on the license key transmitted from the license server.

Abstract: Shading coefficient ?1 is acquired with respect to a gradient vector G of a surface of a polyp and a direction S of a virtual ray (?1=|G·S| [· is inner product]). For example, using a conversion function f using a look-up table (LUT), the shading coefficient ?1 is converted into ?2 (?2=f (?1), ?2<?1). By using the shading coefficient ?2 that is lessened in a simulated manner, the polyp is rendered with shading as if it were a polyp with large swelling for enhancing the shading of the edge of the polyp.

Abstract: For a first client terminal to suspend image processing, the first client terminal transfers first creation condition parameters, independent parameters and first dependent parameters which are a task property to a data server for storing the parameters, and discards a first volume data, which is the task result. In the next phase, when a second client terminal continues the image processing, the second client terminal downloads slice data and the first creation condition parameters, the independent parameters and the first dependent parameters of the task property from the data server. The second client terminal converts the first creation condition parameters and the first dependent parameters into second creation condition parameters and second dependent parameters or creates the second creation condition parameters and the second dependent parameters, in response to the performance of the second client terminal, and creates second volume data.

Abstract: An intestine is cut by a cross section of a spherical surface or a combination of a plane and a spherical surface, and voxel values on the cross section are projected onto a projection plane in parallel, whereby a cross-sectional image of the intestine is created. Unlike a CPR image, the image of the spherical portion is projected without being extended. If the radius of the spherical surface is increased, the depth toward a screen can be seen and thus perspective of the inside of the observation object can be understood. On the other hand, if the radius of the spherical surface is lessened, the cut surface of the observation object is displayed as flat MPR and can be observed without distortion. Therefore, the radius of the spherical surface is set appropriately in conjunction with the thickness of the observation object, whereby a precise diagnosis can be conducted.

Abstract: A method for projecting an exfoliated picture by outputting direction information of image data having three or more dimensions. The method includes calculating direction information of each voxel using voxel data of a plurality of pixels, and generating the exfoliated picture with the direction information.

Abstract: An image processing method using volume data includes: extracting a region of the volume data; transforming voxel values in the extracted region into at least two different voxel values; and presenting information of the extracted region by using the transformed voxel values.

Abstract: A preview image is operated and an original image is opened based on the operation result of the preview image. For example, a heart is rotated from side to side on a preview screen, and the heart is displayed at a certain rotation angle and a certain magnifying scale power in the preview image. If the image is opened, the original image (heart) can be opened while maintaining the operated rotation angle and the magnifying scale power in the preview.

Abstract: When the user presses an Alt key, the mode makes a transition to a property value switching mode and all annotations are made visible. At this time, the originally invisible annotations with the visibility properties set to invisible are drawn translucently. That is, a scanner name, a color bar, and a patient name which are not visible in a normal mode are drawn translucently. Thus, the user presses the Alt key, whereby the mode can be switched to the visible switching mode of drawing all objects, so that the user can promptly designate the annotation whose visibility property is to be changed and can smoothly conduct a medical diagnosis with an image.

Abstract: Failure part is detected using calculated structure information. In one embodiment, the failure part is detected by comparing path node positions, numbers of node positions, branch lengths, and branch positions. That is, it is detected that although nodes a2 and a3 exist in structure information N in phase N, corresponding nodes do not exist in the preceding phase N?1 or the subsequent phase N+1. Moreover, it is detected that a node a1 existing in the preceding phase N?1 and a node a5 existing in the subsequent phase N+1 do not exist in a corresponding part a4 in the structure information N in the phase N.

Abstract: In a screen image for a user to operate other processing unit while one processing unit is in an editing state, icons of [A: EDITING-COMPLETE], [B: EDITING-HALT], [C: EDITING], [D: EDITING-COMPLETE], [E: EDITING-HALT (CALCULATING)] and [OPERATION GUI] are included. The [OPERATION GUI] shows a GUI for operating the processing unit corresponding to [C: EDITING] . In an image processing method, the “editing-halt” state can be provided, enabling the user to operate the other processing unit while one processing unit is in the editing state. Accordingly, while the user is operating a complicated processing unit such as a cardiac function analysis, the user can once stop editing the cardiac function analysis as required, and can execute a voxel value measurement, mask setting processing, etc., for example, and then can resume editing of the cardiac function analysis.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided capable of improving a response to a user in a case where a series of images using volume data are displayed by volume rendering. When the images are displayed by animation in an oscillating manner with amplitude, the amplitude is gradually increased so as to spare time for image generation. That is, when the user specifies a parameter value, for example, a projection angle (initial value: ?=0°), for an object to be diagnosed, animation display of images C, D, and E of the object is performed with a small amplitude (0=±5°) with the initial value as a center. During the animation display, an image B (?=?10°) and an image F (?=10°) are calculated in the background. After the calculation is completed, the amplitude is increased (?=±10°) and animation display of the images B, C, D, E, and F is performed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image as a tubular tissue (colon) is divided longitudinally along a center line (path) is generated, and divided pieces are displayed in association with each other. When the number of dividing planes is one, the dividing plane and the divided pieces may be simply synthesized. However, when the number of dividing planes is two or more, one dividing plane is covered with another. Thus, dividing planes corresponding to each of the divided pieces are generated, and a portion of each dividing plane not touching the divided piece is deleted. Accordingly, all divided pieces are displayed, so that the inner wall can be observed for 360 degrees. Unlike the exfoliated image, the image does not contain distortion and the positional relationship is also easy to understand. When dividing with two or more dividing planes, a plurality of dividing planes contained in one divided piece can be observed simultaneously.

Abstract: When conducting a medical diagnosis using image display and histogram display, an image processing method and a computer readable medium for image processing are provided which enable an appropriate histogram to be displayed in response to the intention of the user. When there is a histogram 1 corresponding to a voxel group 2 in image data 3, and when the voxel group 2 is changed to a voxel group 4, a histogram 5 corresponding to the voxel group 4 changes. Thus, the calculation objects of the histograms 1 and 5 are limited to the volume data (voxel groups 2 and 4) projected onto set three-dimensional regions and dynamic processing is performed, so that as the setting of the voxel group is changed, the histogram is also changed in real time.

Abstract: A virtual ray makes one revolution around an imaginary path with an umbrella-like elevation angle ? kept constant with respect to the imaginary path to thereby generate a projected image. When the virtual ray is radiated obliquely, a shaded portion of an inner wall surface of a tubular tissue can be observed clearly.

Abstract: A rendering method such as a maximum value method or an average value method is determined for volume data containing a region having a thickness of an observation object, and an arbitrary surface, which is a surface to be displayed, is generated. Next, a rendering region corresponding to the arbitrary surface is generated. A position (for example, x-y coordinate) on the arbitrary surface corresponding to each pixel in the rendering region is obtained. Next, the thickness d at the position (x, y) on the arbitrary surface is calculated. An image is generated according to the thickness information for each pixel in the rendering region.

Abstract: A threshold value T which is a little larger than voxel values of a target tissue such as bloodstream is determined. Next, a virtual ray is projected, and voxel values on the virtual ray are obtained as an array A1 (original array). Then, an array A2 (replaced array) is generated by the voxel values of the array A1 which are equal to or larger than the threshold value T are flipped-over at the threshold value T. Then, a part of the data on the array A2, e.g., flipped-over data corresponding to the center part of the calcified region is excluded. Next, a maximum value M2 on the array A2 is obtained, and a value M1 on the array A1 corresponding to the value M2 is obtained. Then, the value M1 is employed as a pixel value for the virtual ray.

Abstract: A method for designating a region of interest from volume data of a subject. When a user clicks a mouse to specify designation points, a CPU generates a curved surface including the designation points. The CPU executes a hidden surface removal process on the curved surface to generate a plotted region, sets a thickness for the plotted region, and determines the region of interest. The CPU performs MIP processing on the region of interest and a region of interest re-designating process on the MIP image. In the region of interest re-designating process, the user clicks the mouse on the MIP image, and the CPU determines the MIP position of the clicked position. The CPU sets the MIP position as a new designation point, and re-specifies a new region of interest by performing a region of interest designating process based on the new designation point.