Abstract: A method for visualizing a sequence of tomographic volume data records for medical imaging, which were recorded in temporal sequence with administration of contrast agents in vessels in an object volume, is provided. At least one extremal value and one time value are determined from the temporal sequence of the measured signal values for each voxel of the object volume, the time value describing a time lag of the extremal value compared to a fixed time during the recording of the volume data records. Each combination of time value and extremal value is assigned a color value and opacity value by a multi-dimensional transfer function. The transfer function is applied to the previously determined time and extremal values so that each voxel of the object volume is assigned a color value and opacity value. The voxel with the respective opacity and color values are displayed using volume rendering.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for visualizing a tomographic volume data record of an object volume. In at least one embodiment of the method, the gradient magnitude is additionally determined for each voxel of the volume data record and an at least two-dimensional transfer function is provided which assigns a color value and an opacity value to each combination of gradient value and scalar of the voxel. Here, at least the opacity value and the color value are modulated by the gradient value. The transfer function is applied to the previously determined gradient values and scalar values and the volume data record is displayed with the respective color and opacity values of the voxels by way of a volume rendering technique. The method permits an improved recognizability of structures, in particular in volume data records from medical imaging.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for visualizing 3D image data from tomographic imaging modalities using a rendering technique in which every pixel is calculated by integrating or summing along respectively one ray through a volume surrounded by the 3D image data. In the method, a peeling function is additionally introduced into the integration or summation, by which, in the integration or summation, the 3D image data on the respective ray only contributes with its full data value to reducing the optical transparency beyond a prescribable value of an optical skin depth. The peeling function is selected such that, in a transition region before the prescribable value of the optical skin depth is reached, the 3D image data on the ray still contributes to reducing the optical transparency with a fraction of its full data value such that there is a smooth profile, generated by the peeling function, when an outer layer is peeled off.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for color visualization of 3D image data of an object using a rendering technique, in particular for tomographic imaging image data. In at least one embodiment, the method calculates pixels of the object from the 3D image data by applying a transfer function, which assigns color values to the 3D image data, and provides said pixels as an image with a bright background. The image with a bright background is inverted to visualize it on a dark background, and the color values assigned to the 3D image data of the object are modified in accordance with a prescribed rule, by means of which the coloring of the image with a dark background obtained by inverting is at least approximately matched to the coloring of the non-inverted image with the original color values.