Abstract: Systems and methods for deriving a cardiac cycle signal by selecting images of a portion of a cardiovascular system include receiving a plurality of images from a scanner that have been recorded over a period of time. The images represent one or more locations along the extent of the cardiovascular system. The images are then selected based on common criteria determined from the plurality of images and without reference to an external signal. The common criteria comprises changes in the size of a cross section of the aorta, changes in the volume of the heart, changes in the area of a cross section of the heart. In addition, the criteria can include the mean pixel difference between adjacent images.

Abstract: Controlling the attributes (such as transparency) of volume-rendered images via a window/level mechanism when the images are displayed is disclosed. A volume-rendered image includes a set of voxel data representing an object. The set of voxel data has a range of voxel values, and each voxel datum (or voxel) has at least a voxel value and an attribute value (such as a transparency value). In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a characteristic selector, a level point and window set, and a viewer. The characteristic selector permits a user to select a characteristic to control an attribute of the set of voxel data, such as transparency. The level point and window set permits the user to set the level point and the window within the range of voxel values, where the window is centered at the level point and the characteristic is at least applicable within the window.

Abstract: Volume rendering lighting using dot product methodology is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer includes a processor, a computer-readable medium and a computer program. The medium stores first data representing a set of voxel data representing an object, each voxel datum having a gradient that is desirably either positive or negative, and second data representing a light source having a directional vector. The computer program is executed by the processor from the medium, and displays the set of the voxel data, including illuminating each voxel datum using a dot product of the gradient of the voxel datum with the directional vector of the light source.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for viewing a set of voxel data on a display device attached to a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the computerized system has a number of different components. A retrieve data set component retrieves the set of voxel data, the set of voxel data having already been acquired in accordance with acquisition parameters of a protocol. A protocol selector component selects the protocol in accordance with the set of voxel data retrieved, the protocol including preset adjustments for the volume-rendering of the data. An image gallery component displays one or more images of the set of voxel data in accordance with the preset adjustments of the protocol. An examination viewer component permits the changing of the preset adjustments of the protocol as to a particular image selected. within the image gallery component. A report generator and viewer component generates a report based on snap shots of images taken within the examination viewer component.