Virtual organ unfolding for visualization
View Patent ↗A system and method for organ image unfolding for feature visualization are provided, where the system includes a processor, an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving organ scan data, a modeling unit in signal communication with the processor for fitting a model to the scan data, and an unfolding unit in signal communication with the processor for unfolding the 3D modeled scan data; and the corresponding method includes segmenting an outer surface of the organ, parameterizing a 3D model of the organ, ray-casting from the center of the organ to the surface of the 3D model, and unfolding the 3D model of the organ in correspondence with the ray-casting.
1. A method using a processor for of organ image unfolding for feature visualization, the method comprising:
the processor performing the steps of:
segmenting an outer surface of the organ;
parameterizing a 3D model of the organ;
ray-casting from the center of the organ to the surface of the 3D model; and
unfolding the 3D model of the organ in correspondence with the ray-casting, wherein the organ is a heart.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the features comprise coronary blood vessels.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising receiving preliminary organ scan data.
4. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the 3D model is fixed.
5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the 3D model is selected from the group of 3D shapes consisting of a sphere, a cylinder and an ellipsoid.
6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein ray-casting comprises application of a maximum intensity projection filter.
7. An apparatus for organ image unfolding for feature visualization, comprising:
segmenting means for segmenting an outer surface of the organ using organ scan data;
modeling means for fitting a 3D model to the organ scan data;
ray-casting means for casting rays from the center of the organ to the surface of the 3D model; and
unfolding means responsive to the ray-casting means for unfolding the 3D model, wherein the organ is a heart.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 , further comprising scanning means for receiving the organ scan data.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 , further comprising display means for displaying the organ scan data.
10. A system for organ image unfolding for feature visualization, comprising:
a processor for segmenting an outer surface of the organ using organ scan data;
an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving the organ scan data;
a modeling unit in signal communication with the processor for fitting a model to the scan data; and
an unfolding unit in signal communication with the processor for unfolding the 3D modeled scan data, wherein the organ is a heart.
11. A system as defined in claim 10 wherein the processor renders the detailed scan data as a 3D image about a region of interest.
12. A system as defined in claim 11 , further comprising a display adapter in signal communication with the processor for displaying the rendered 3D image.
13. A system as defined in claim 12 wherein the display adapter and user interface adapter are usable for checking the scan quality.
14. A system as defined in claim 10 wherein the processor changes the model.
15. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform program steps for organ image unfolding for feature visualization the program steps comprising:
segmenting an outer surface of the organ;
parameterizing a 3D model of the organ;
ray-casting from the center of the organ to the surface of the 3D model; and
unfolding the 3D model of the organ in correspondence with the ray-casting, wherein the organ is a heart.
16. A program storage device as defined in claim 15 wherein the features comprise coronary blood vessels.
17. A program storage device as defined in claim 15 wherein the 3D model is selected from the group of 3D shapes consisting of a sphere, a cylinder and an ellipsoid.
18. A program storage device as defined in claim 15 wherein ray-casting comprises application of a maximum intensity projection filter.