Abstract: Velocities are volume rendered in ultrasound. Early ray termination is used to avoid compositing velocities of different signs together. As long as the velocities are of the same sign, compositing continues from the viewer to a back of the volume being rendered. Once the velocity changes sign, compositing is reduced or terminated to avoid compositing velocities of different directions. The velocity rendering emphasizes the velocities of one direction closest to the viewer.

Abstract: Spatial relationships are conveyed in multi-planar reconstruction (MPR). A 3D MPR display indicates relative position of MPR imaging planes to each other and/or anatomy at a given time. To better assist user understanding of the location of the MPR planes relative to each other and/or anatomy in transitioning to different relative locations, the transition is animated. The shift in planar position occurs gradually in the 3D MPR display despite user indication of a jump to another arrangement.

Abstract: Velocities are volume rendered in ultrasound. Early ray termination is used to avoid compositing velocities of different signs together. As long as the velocities are of the same sign, compositing continues from the viewer to a back of the volume being rendered. Once the velocity changes sign, compositing is reduced or terminated to avoid compositing velocities of different directions. The velocity rendering emphasizes the velocities of one direction closest to the viewer.

Abstract: Clipping is provided for volume rendering in three-dimensional medical imaging. Rather than a single or even two clipping planes, an enclosed clipping volume isolates a region of interest. More than one volume rendering may be formed from the data of the clipping volume. The volume renderings from different directions, such as opposite directions, may be displayed substantially simultaneously. For imaging a valve or other structure with multiple views of interest, the clipping volume defines the valve or structure region and rendering from the multiple views provides desired diagnosis information.

Abstract: Spatial relationships are conveyed in multi-planar reconstruction (MPR). A 3D MPR display indicates relative position of MPR imaging planes to each other and/or anatomy at a given time. To better assist user understanding of the location of the MPR planes relative to each other and/or anatomy in transitioning to different relative locations, the transition is animated. The shift in planar position occurs gradually in the 3D MPR display despite user indication of a jump to another arrangement.

Abstract: Clipping is provided for volume rendering in three-dimensional medical imaging. Rather than a single or even two clipping planes, an enclosed clipping volume isolates a region of interest. More than one volume rendering may be formed from the data of the clipping volume. The volume renderings from different directions, such as opposite directions, may be displayed substantially simultaneously. For imaging a valve or other structure with multiple views of interest, the clipping volume defines the valve or structure region and rendering from the multiple views provides desired diagnosis information.

Abstract: Volume rendering with a clipping surface is provided in three-dimensional medical imaging. An open curved surface is defined for clipping. The clipping surface is fixed relative to the volume rather than any images, but is editable on multi-planar reconstruction.

Abstract: Spatial relationships are conveyed in three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. To transition a volume rendering from one view to another view, the transition is animated, showing rotation. For example, the user examines one diagnostic view, but decides to examine another diagnostic view. Upon selection of the other diagnostic view, the volume rendered image appears to rotate. The rotation from one view to another shows the spatial relationship between the views. The user may then examine the static volume rendering at the desired view with an appreciation of the relationship with the previously examined static view.

Abstract: Occlusion-based lighting control is provided in volume rendering of medical data. In addition to altering the brightness of a sample based on the degree of occlusion, the opacity for the sample is also or alternatively altered. For direct volume rendering, the depth of samples along a given ray contributing to the rendered pixel may be limited due to saturation. By varying the opacity, the depth at which samples contribute may be increased for less occluded samples.

Abstract: Separate renderings are performed for data of a same medical imaging mode. The data is processed differently prior to rendering and/or rendered differently to enhance desired image information. For example, a same set of ultrasound B-mode data is rendered with opacity rendering and with maximum intensity projection or surface rendering. The surface or maximum intensity projection highlights strong transitions associated with bones. The opacity rendering maintains tissue information. Different sets of B-mode data may be separately rendered, such as one set processed to emphasize contrast agent response and another set processed to emphasize tissue. The separate renderings are aligned and combined. The combined rendering is output as an image.

Abstract: Without using ECG input signals or processor intensive correlation, cyclical timing is determined from ultrasound data. Cyclical timing includes determining the time of end diastole, time of end systole or heart rate. The ultrasound data is reduced, such as by projecting each frame of data onto two axes. For projection, data is summed along each dimension. The location associated with the maximum variance through the sequence is identified from the projected data. The ultrasound data associated with the location is used to identify cycle timing information, such as to provide a waveform representing the cycle. Lines from different frames of data in the sequence are also used to generate an image. The image shows cycle timing information.

Abstract: Spatial relationships are conveyed in three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. To transition a volume rendering from one view to another view, the transition is animated, showing rotation. For example, the user examines one diagnostic view, but decides to examine another diagnostic view. Upon selection of the other diagnostic view, the volume rendered image appears to rotate. The rotation from one view to another shows the spatial relationship between the views. The user may then examine the static volume rendering at the desired view with an appreciation of the relationship with the previously examined static view.

Abstract: Separate renderings are performed for data of a same medical imaging mode. The data is processed differently prior to rendering and/or rendered differently to enhance desired image information. For example, a same set of ultrasound B-mode data is rendered with opacity rendering and with maximum intensity projection or surface rendering. The surface or maximum intensity projection highlights strong transitions associated with bones. The opacity rendering maintains tissue information. Different sets of B-mode data may be separately rendered, such as one set processed to emphasize contrast agent response and another set processed to emphasize tissue. The separate renderings are aligned and combined. The combined rendering is output as an image.