Abstract: A method is provided for generating real-time haptic response information for a haptic simulating device during a surgery simulation performed by a virtual tool on an object volume that includes tissue voxels, null voxels, and object boundary points. The method includes: (a) receiving a select input of a selected virtual tool type; (b) obtaining tool boundary points of the virtual tool; (c) obtaining a current reference position of the virtual tool; (d) determining a current tool subvolume; and (e) when the current tool subvolume has at least one tissue voxel, (e-1) determining positions of the tool boundary points within the subvolume, (e-2) updating labels of the voxels within the subvolume and replacing an original set of the object boundary points within the subvolume with a new set of the object boundary points, (e-3) determining force-contributing ones of the tool boundary points, and (e-4) providing force information of a force to be generated by the haptic simulating device.

Abstract: An image analysis method for abnormal hip structures. A plurality of transverse sections of a bone structure are provided. Structural features on the transverse sections are obtained. Abnormities of the structural features of the bone structure are recognized. Structural and feature properties of the bone structure are estimated according to recognition results, and corresponding structural parameters relating to the bond structure are obtained accordingly.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating real-time haptic response information for a haptic simulating device during a surgery simulation performed on an object volume by a virtual tool that is associated with the haptic simulating device. The object volume includes tissue voxels, null voxels, and object boundary points located between corresponding adjacent pairs of the tissue and null voxels.

Abstract: An image analysis method that uses automatic algorithms for the evaluation of herniation classification and geometry in the diagnosis of a herniated inter-vertebral disc (HIVD). Based on a transverse section, the method utilizes a B-spline curve to approximate a circle-like disc boundary and excludes the herniation from other normal parts of the disc boundary. The method therefor attains to feature recognition that classifies the herniation, and the herniation reconstruction that infers the 3D geometry from one or more transverse section. With enhanced resolution provided by the method, a higher diagnostic rate of HIVD is achieved.

Abstract: Image analysis methods for gleno-humeral joint morphology. At least one specific structure is approximated as an elliptical structure at a plurality of transverse sections. At least one pathological feature on the structure is recognized. At least one structural spatial property of a 3D structure is calculated based on the structural property of the elliptical structure, thus determining the morphology of the 3D structure. Structural deformities are evaluated according to the morphology of the 3D structure. The pathological features on the sections are integrated to obtain at least one 3D pathological feature property, and a treatment is determined accordingly.

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: 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.

Abstract: An image analysis method for abnormal hip structures. A plurality of transverse sections of a bone structure are provided. Structural features on the transverse sections are obtained. Abnormities of the structural features of the bone structure are recognized. Structural and feature properties of the bone structure are estimated according to recognition results, and corresponding structural parameters relating to the bond structure are obtained accordingly.

Abstract: A method for spinal disease diagnosis based on image analysis of unaligned transversal slices, reconstructing a 3D image of a bone structure. At least one transverse slice is extract from the 3D image. Vertices of a triangulated isosurface are obtained from the transverse slice. The vertices are transformed to correct positions of unaligned slices in the bone structure. A surface normal of the vertices is calculated according to the correct positions. The triangulated isosurface is reconstructed by interpolating according to the vertices.

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: An image analysis method that uses automatic algorithms for the evaluation of herniation classification and geometry in the diagnosis of a herniated inter-vertebral disc (HIVD). Based on a transverse section, the method utilizes a B-spline curve to approximate a circle-like disc boundary and excludes the herniation from other normal parts of the disc boundary. The method therefor attains to feature recognition that classifies the herniation, and the herniation reconstruction that infers the 3D geometry from one or more transverse section. With enhanced resolution provided by the method, a higher diagnostic rate of HIVD is achieved.

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.