Abstract: An image analysis method for vertebral compression curvature is disclosed for providing diagnosis analysis of the compression curvature. It makes use of the transverse sectional image with a concave feature of a vertebral body. After B-spline curves are approximated as ellipse-like surfaces, the method further evaluates the compression curvature of the canal. On the other hand, the center of the ellipse-like surface boundary obtained by approximation from different transverse sectional images of the vertebral body is used to reconstruct the centerline of the vertebral body by linear restoration. Such information is used to determine the curvature of the vertebral body. Moreover, the method can use the above-mentioned reconstructed vertebral body centerline to compare with other adjacent vertebral centerlines that have normal curvatures. In this manner, the method can help determine the type and extent of the spine under pressure or having a fracture.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for constructing a three-dimensional model of an object volume, cubic voxels cooperatively define a three-dimensional solid of the three-dimensional model of the object volume. Each voxel has a plurality of voxel faces, and each voxel face is parallel to one of three axes of a rectangular coordinate system. Each voxel has a data structure that includes an object flag portion for describing the corresponding three-dimensional solid, a face flag portion for indicating which ones of the voxel faces serve as a boundary face of the corresponding three-dimensional solid, and a set of distance-levels that represent sample points of the voxel on the three axes of the rectangular coordinate system. The topology and geometry of a boundary of the three-dimensional solid are represented by the face flag portions and the distance-levels of the voxels that are positioned at the boundary.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surgery simulation system is provided for generating a three-dimensional surgery simulation result of an anatomical part undergoing a simulated surgical procedure. The system includes a display unit, a three-dimensional visual imaging unit, a storage unit for storing a plurality of voxelized three-dimensional model image data sets, an input unit for controlling progress of the simulated surgical procedure, and a computing unit for computing the simulation result data in accordance with the voxelized three-dimensional model image data sets and under the control of the input unit, and for controlling the display unit to permit viewing of the surgery simulation result in three-dimensional form thereon by an operator wearing the visual imaging unit.