Abstract: A method for reducing the complexity of a polygonal mesh representative of the surface of an object to be displayed such as for medical imaging purposes systematically removes features from the mesh and reconnects the modified mesh in such a way as to preserve the original shape and topology of the mesh. The procedure removes both vertices and polygons from a polygonal mesh either alone or in combination. In order to reduce the number of polygons in an object for which a mesh has been generated, the method of the present invention repeats the decimation process until a desired number of polygons is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for real-time tracking of a catheter guide wire in a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure includes an image processing unit for processing digitized fluoroscopic images from a fluoroscope image output. The image processor utilizes a novel algorithm for locating the image of a catheter in the fluoroscopic image. The image processor creates a two-dimensional model of the catheter for dynamic display on an operating room live image video monitor.