Abstract: The present invention discloses a virtual reality medical procedure skills training simulator, particularly to be used in the field of ear-nose-throat surgery such as myringotomy. The simulator consists of medical procedural tools marked with physical markers, a tracking device to track the marker, a stereo display device to simulate a medical procedural microscope, and a computer system to enable the simulation.

Abstract: A fast semi-automatic prostate contouring method is provided using model-based initialization and an efficient Discrete Dynamic Contour (DDC) for boundary refinement. The user initiates the process of the preferred embodiment by identifying four (4) points on the prostate boundary, thereby scaling and shaping a prostate model, and then the final prostate contour is refined with a DDC. The method of the present invention has particular application during the pre-implant planning phase of a brachytherapy procedure. However, this method also has uses in any phase of dose planning in the brachytherapy procedure or any other therapy approach.

Abstract: A fast semi-automatic prostate contouring method is provided using model-based initialization and an efficient Discrete Dynamic Contour (DDC) for boundary refinement. The user initiates the process of the preferred embodiment by identifying four (4) points on the prostate boundary, thereby scaling and shaping a prostate model, and then the final prostate contour is refined with a DDC. The method of the present invention has particular application during the pre-implant planning phase of a brachytherapy procedure. However, this method also has uses in any phase of dose planning in the brachytherapy procedure or any other therapy approach.

Abstract: A fast semi-automatic prostate contouring method is provided using model-based initialization and an efficient Discrete Dynamic Contour (DDC) for boundary refinement. The user initiates the process of the preferred embodiment by identifying four (4) points on the prostate boundary, thereby scaling and shaping a prostate model, and then the final prostate contour is refined with a DDC. The method of the present invention has particular application during the pre-implant planning phase of a brachytherapy procedure. However, this method also has uses in any phase of dose planning in the brachytherapy procedure or any other therapy approach.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semi-automated method for three-dimensional ultrasound for constructing and displaying 3-D ultrasound images of luminal surfaces of blood vessels. The method comprises acquiring a 3-D ultrasound image of a target vessel and segmenting the luminal surfaces acquired from the 3-D ultrasound image of the target vessel to generate a 3-D ultrasound image of the lumen of the target vessel, wherein an inflating balloon model is used for segmenting the luminal surfaces of the target vessel. The method is useful for diagnostic assessment of bodily vessels as well as provides for therapy planning and as a prognostic indicator.