Abstract: A method for deploying a device in a tortuous vessel, comprising: placing a virtual generalized-cylinder within a virtual representation of the tortuous vessel; measuring length along the perimeter of the virtual generalized-cylinder at a set numbers of longitudes; determining the maximum measured length; selecting a device based upon the maximum measured length; and deploying the device in the tortuous vessel.

Abstract: In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using a set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel. The invention includes elements and steps for generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images, conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of twist to be manually introduced into an implant which is to be positioned in the aorta and adjacent iliac branches so as to achieve an effective degree of twist when the implant is positioned in the anatomy, the method comprising: identifying the effective degree of twist desired for the implant; determining the Native Iliac Rotation of a patient; and subtracting the Native Iliac Rotation of a patient from the effective degree of twist desired for the implant so as to determine the degree of twist to be manually introduced into the implant.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: A method for deploying a device in a tortuous vessel, comprising: placing a virtual generalized-cylinder within a virtual representation of the tortuous vessel; measuring length along the perimeter of the virtual generalized-cylinder at a set numbers of longitudes; determining the maximum measured length; selecting a device based upon the maximum measured length; and deploying the device in the tortuous vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anatomical visualization and measurement system comprising a first database that comprises a plurality of 2-D slice images generated by scanning a structure. The 2-D slice images are stored in a first data format. A second database is also provided that comprises a 3-D computer model of the scanned structure. The 3-D computer model comprises a first software object that is defined by a 3-D geometry database. Apparatus is provided for selecting a particular 2-D slice image from the first database. Apparatus is also provided for inserting a second software object into the 3-D computer model so as to augment the 3-D computer model. The second software object is also defined by a 3-D geometry database, and includes a planar surface. The second software object is inserted into the 3-D computer model at the position which corresponds to the position of the selected 2-D slice image relative to the scanned structure.

Abstract: A computer-based visualization system for visualizing an anatomical structure and a graft implant which is to be deployed adjacent the anatomical structure, comprising: a 3-D computer model of the anatomical structure to be visualized, the 3-D computer model comprising at least one first software object which corresponds to the anatomical structure to be visualized; a database of second software objects, wherein at least one of the second software objects corresponds to a graft implant which is to be deployed adjacent the anatomical structure; selection apparatus for permitting a user to select at least one of the second software objects; registration apparatus for positioning the selected at least one of the second software objects into the 3-D computer model so as to create an augmented 3-D computer model; and processing apparatus for generating an image of the augmented 3-D computer model.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of twist to be manually introduced into an implant which is to be positioned in the aorta and adjacent iliac branches so as to achieve an effective degree of twist when the implant is positioned in the anatomy, the method comprising: identifying the effective degree of twist desired for the implant; determining the Native Iliac Rotation of a patient; and subtracting the Native Iliac Rotation of a patient from the effective degree of twist desired for the implant so as to determine the degree of twist to be manually introduced into the implant.

Abstract: A computer-based visualization system for visualizing an anatomical structure comprising a 3-D computer model with at least one first software object corresponding to the anatomical structure; a database of second software objects, wherein at least one corresponds to a graft implant which is to be deployed adjacent or into the anatomical structure; selection apparatus for permitting a user to select one of the second software objects; registration apparatus for positioning the selected second software objects into the 3-D computer model thereby creating an augmented 3-D computer model, with the selected second software objects being positioned in the augmented 3-D computer model in proper registration with the first software object contained in the augmented 3-D model; and processing apparatus for generating an image of the augmented 3-D computer model thereby simultaneously providing a view of the first and the selected second software objects and a method of using the same.

Abstract: In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: A computer-based visualization system for visualizing anatomical structure and a graft implant to be deployed adjacent the anatomical structure, comprising: a 3-D computer model of the anatomical structure to be visualized, the 3-D computer model comprising at least one first software object which corresponds to the anatomical structure to be visualized; a database of second software objects, wherein at least one of the second software objects corresponds to a graft implant which is to be deployed adjacent the anatomical structure; selection apparatus for permitting a user to select at least one of the second software objects; registration apparatus for positioning the selected at least one of the second software objects into the 3-D computer model so as to create an augmented 3-D computer model; and processing apparatus for generating an image of the augmented 3-D computer model.