Abstract: A method, system and computer programs for computing simultaneous rectilinear paths using medical images are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a 3D medical image comprising voxels representing a volume of an anatomical region of a patient and a preliminary path determined by two points traversing said 3D medical image, wherein said 3D medical image has segmented therein at least one area of interest, the preliminary path comprising a security zone with a given distance; computing a distance map of said area of interest and mapping its voxels to a first value or to a second value depending on a distance threshold, the latter being equal to said given distance of the security zone; selecting the voxels having said second value and projecting them using a frustum that projects the preliminary path onto a single point, to obtain a 2D projected image that includes a plurality of rectilinear paths.

Abstract: A method, system and computer programs for computing simultaneous rectilinear paths using medical images are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a 3D medical image comprising voxels representing a volume of an anatomical region of a patient and a preliminary path determined by two points traversing said 3D medical image, wherein said 3D medical image has segmented therein at least one area of interest, the preliminary path comprising a security zone with a given distance; computing a distance map of said area of interest and mapping its voxels to a first value or to a second value depending on a distance threshold, the latter being equal to said given distance of the security zone; selecting the voxels having said second value and projecting them using a frustum that projects the preliminary path onto a single point, to obtain a 2D projected image that includes a plurality of rectilinear paths.

Abstract: A method for calculating values indicative for the local spatial structure of conducting properties of heart muscle tissue. The method uses a continuous ROI where there may exist a CC, each point of the ROI being associated with a value of a given spatial distribution. The method for each one of the points: spans rays within the ROI in multiple 3-D directions using coordinates of a reference coordinate system of each point, providing a structure with a plurality of rays with a given geometry; defines a sequence of sampling points on each ray of said structure; maps the value of the spatial distribution on each defined sampling point of each ray of the structure; classifies each ray of the structure by assigning a single value, providing an associated ray value; and reduces each structure to a single point value in view of said geometry and their associated ray value.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program are provided for determining the porosity of a flexible porous structure when it is subjected to deformation. The method performs the following steps by processing representative data of the flexible porous structure: a) generates a first function (Fs) defining how the flexible porous structure changes shape when it is subjected to deformation; b) generates a second function (Fp) defining how a covered surface of the flexible porous structure changes when it is subjected to changes in shape, wherein the second function (Fp) is directly linked with porosity of the flexible porous structure; c) obtains reference porosity values of a reference region (CU-R) of the flexible porous structure in a reference configuration via the first function (Fs); and d) calculates the porosity of at least one deformed region (CU-D) of the flexible porous structure, from said reference porosity values and from the second function (Fp).

Abstract: The method comprises identifying, in a 3D volume, a zone of a first type (H), a zone of a second type (BZ) and a zone of a third type (C) and: —automatically identifying as a candidate channel (bz) a path running through the zone of a second type (BZ) and extending between two points of the zone of a first type (H); and—automatically performing, on a topological space (H_and_BZ_topo), homotopic operations between the candidate channel (bz) and paths (h) running only through the zone of a first type (H), and if the result of said homotopic operations is that the candidate channel (bz) is not homotopic to any path running only through the zone of a first type (H) identifying the candidate channel (bz) as a constrained channel. The computer program product implements the steps of the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for calculating values indicative for the local spatial structure of conducting properties of heart muscle tissue. The method uses a continuous ROI where there may exist a CC, each point of the ROI being associated with a value of a given spatial distribution. The method for each one of the points: spans rays within the ROI in multiple 3-D directions using coordinates of a reference coordinate system of each point, providing a structure with a plurality of rays with a given geometry; defines a sequence of sampling points on each ray of said structure; maps the value of the spatial distribution on each defined sampling point of each ray of the structure; classifies each ray of the structure by assigning a single value, providing an associated ray value; and reduces each structure to a single point value in view of said geometry and their associated ray value.

Abstract: The method comprises performing the following steps by means of processing representative data of the flexible porous structure: a) generating a first function (Fs) defining how the flexible porous structure changes shape when it is subjected to deformation; b) generating a second function (Fp) defining how a covered surface of the flexible porous structure changes when it is subjected to changes in shape; c) obtaining, by means of said function (Fs), reference porosity values of a reference region (CU-R) of the flexible porous structure in a reference configuration; and d) calculating the porosity of at least one deformed region (CU-D) of the flexible porous structure, from said reference porosity values and from said second function (Fp).

Abstract: The methods comprise: a) obtaining a 3D volume of the object containing two different sub-volumes identified as: well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) sub-volumes; b) generating well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) patches from the two sub-volumes; c) automatically identifying the possible channels by means of automatically obtaining candidate channels regions (CCR), dilating the perimeters of the well-defined zone (S) patches. The method includes embodiments for a layered approach, an EAM polygonal mesh approach and a volume approach. The computer program product is adapted to implement part or all of the steps of the method of the invention. The EAM system comprises computing navigation means implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The method comprises identifying, in a 3D volume, a zone of a first type (H), a zone of a second type (BZ) and a zone of a third type (C) and:—automatically identifying as a candidate channel (bz) a path running through the zone of a second type (BZ) and extending between two points of the zone of a first type (H); and—automatically performing, on a topological space (H_and_BZ_topo), homotopic operations between the candidate channel (bz) and paths (h) running only through the zone of a first type (H), and if the result of said homotopic operations is that the candidate channel (bz) is not homotopic to any path running only through the zone of a first type (H) identifying the candidate channel (bz) as a constrained channel. The computer program product implements the steps of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The methods comprise: a) obtaining a 3D volume of the object containing two different sub-volumes identified as: well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) sub-volumes; b) generating well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) patches from the two sub-volumes; c) automatically identifying the possible channels by means of automatically obtaining candidate channels regions (CCR), dilating the perimeters of the well-defined zone (S) patches. The method includes embodiments for a layered approach, an EAM polygonal mesh approach and a volume approach. The computer program product is adapted to implement part or all of the steps of the method of the invention. The EAM system comprises computing navigation means implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A computer system for permitting user interaction with a three-dimensional computer model defines an initial correspondence between the computer model and a real world workspace. An editing volume of the workspace is also defined, and a stereoscopic image of the section of the computer model within the editing volume is displayed. Using a first input device a user can translate and/or rotate the model, and rotate the editing volume, so as to bring different portions of the model into the editing volume, and thus into the user's view. The user operates a second input device to indicate changes to be made to the model. The first and second input devices can be operated with the user's respective hands. Since only the portion of the model within the editing volume need be displayed, the processing and display requirements are reduced, in comparison to displaying the entire model.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying 3D data are presented. The method involves subdividing a 3D display region into two or more display subregions, and assigning a set of display rules to each display subregion. Visible portions of a 3D data set in each display subregion are displayed according to the rules assigned to that display subregion. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the boundaries of the display regions, the display rules for each display subregion, and the 3D data sets assigned to be displayed in each display subregion can be set by a user, and are interactively modifiable by a user during the display. In exemplary embodiments of the invention the same 3D data can be displayed in each display subregion, albeit using different display rules. Alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a different 3D data set can be displayed in each display subregion.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a 3D visualization system can be ported to a laptop or desktop PC, or other standard 2D computing environment, which uses a mouse and keyboard as user interfaces. Using the methods of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a cursor or icon can be drawn at a contextually appropriate depth, thus preserving 3D interactivity and visualization while only having available 2D control. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a spatially correct depth can be automatically found for, and assigned to, the various cursors and icons associated with various 3D tools, control panels and other manipulations. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this can preserve the three-dimensional experience of interacting with a 3D data set even though the 2D interface used to select objects and manipulate them cannot directly provide a third dimensional co-ordinate.

Abstract: A method of rendering a graphics image in which rendering is only carried out in a region to be changed is disclosed. In a preferred form the image includes a plurality of objects and the method comprises the steps of: determining if each object has changed so that the object is required to be displayed differently in a subsequent frame; determining a bounding region of each changed object in the subsequent frame; determining a bounding region of each changed object in a frame prior to the subsequent frame; and combining the bounding regions to form an aggregate region and rendering the image only within the aggregate region.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided by which multiple persons in remote physical locations can collaboratively interactively visualize a 3D data set substantially simultaneously. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there can be, for example, a main workstation and one or more remote workstations connected via a data network. A given main workstation can be, for example, an augmented reality surgical navigation system, or a 3D visualization system, and each workstation can have the same 3D data set loaded. Additionally, a given workstation can combine real-time imagining with previously obtained 3D data, such as, for example, real-time or pre-recorded video, or information such as that provided by a managed 3D ultrasound visualization system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising an input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom for input control; and a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) module operable with the input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom. In one embodiment, the DTI module is operable to compute fiber bundles. The module is further operable to identify one or more 3D regions of interests (ROIs) in a reference volume, and compute or identify the fiber bundles passing through one or more 3D ROIs. In one embodiment, the system support displaying a 3D stereoscopic image of the fiber bundles passing through a 3D ROI.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering high quality 4D ultrasound images in real time, without the use of expensive graphics hardware, without resampling, but also without lowering the resolution of acquired image planes, are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, 2D ultrasound image acquisitions with known three dimensional (3D) positions can be mapped directly into corresponding 2D planes. The images can then be blended from back to front towards a user's viewpoint to form a 3D projection. The resulting 3D images can be updated in substantially real time to display the acquired volumes in 4D.

Abstract: A system and method for the imaging management of a 3D space where various substantially real-time scan images have been acquired is presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a user can visualize images of a portion of a body or object obtained from a substantially real-time scanner not just as 2D images, but as positionally and orientationally located slices within a particular 3D space. In such exemplary embodiments a user can convert such slices into volumes whenever needed, and can process the images or volumes using known image processing and/or volume rendering techniques. Alternatively, a user can acquire ultrasound images in 3D using the techniques of UltraSonar or 4D Ultrasound.

Abstract: A virtual control system for substantially real-time imaging machines, such as, for example, ultrasound, is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a virtual control system comprises a physical interface communicably connected to a scanner/imager, such as, for example, an ultrasound machine. The scanner/imager has, or is communicably connected to, a processor that controls the display of, and user interaction with, a virtual control interface. In operation, a user can interact with the virtual control interface by physically interacting with the physical interface. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the physical interface can comprise a handheld tool and a stationary tablet-like device. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the control system can further include a 3D tracking device that can track both an ultrasound probe as well as a handheld physical interface tool.

Abstract: Various methods and a system for the display of a luminal organ are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention numerous two dimensional images of a body portion containing a luminal organ are obtained from scan process. This data is converted to a volume and rendered to a user in various visualizations according to defined parameters. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a user's viewpoint is placed outside the luminal organ, and a user can move the organ along any of its longitudinal topological features (for example, its centerline, but it could also be a line along the outer wall). In order to explore such an organ as a whole, from the outside of the organ, a tube-like structure can be displayed transparently/semi-transparently and stereoscopically.